KHON2: Hawaii Passes Laws Aimed at Protecting Animals from Abuse, Neglect


July 7, 2021
Hawaii News Now - Trapped and Dumped

HONOLULU (KHON2) — On June 7, Hawaii became the 48th state to ban animal sexual assault, taking a step forward in the fight against animal abuse.

In addition to the ban on sexual assault the state passed two other bills that work to offer animal and animal care protections.

Hawaii House Bill 416 prohibits unsafe tethering practices and the unsupervised tethering of puppies.

“I am grateful to the bill sponsors, House and Senate leaders and our community advocates for supporting Hawaiian Humane’s commitment to enacting laws to protect the animals of Hawaii and their caretakers,” said Steph Kendrick, Public Policy Advocate for the Hawaiian Humane Society. 

Kendrick said animal lovers constantly ask the Hawaiian Humane Society about expanding the tether restrictions to all dogs. She said that is not a stance the organization supports.

“It’s kind of an equity issue honestly,” Kendrick said. “There are a lot of situations particularly for renters where that’s the only choice they have is to tether their animals when they are not around. Either their landlord won’t let them keep their animal inside, the yard isn’t fenced, they can’t afford to fence it it’s not their property anyway.”

To learn more about the new laws, read the full article on KHON2.



You may also like…

Hawaii News Now: Maui Humane Society searching for witnesses after puppy shot by pellet gun

Hawaii News Now: Maui Humane Society searching for witnesses after puppy shot by pellet gun

Maui Humane Society is asking for witnesses to come forward. “There are charges that they could be faced with and have to go to court. They could face jail time and fines for this as well,” said Humane Enforcement Officer Erin Shapiro. “I wouldn’t give up hope. There are still ways that the community could come together and maybe figure out who did it.”

Hawaii News Now: MPD takes lead providing services to growing homeless camp

Hawaii News Now: MPD takes lead providing services to growing homeless camp

The Maui Police Department is taking the lead in providing services at a growing homeless camp. MPD’s Mobile Medical Educational Unit has been near “cut mountain” in West Maui since January. The Maui Humane Society says helping homeless individuals keep their pets is important because the animal shelter is currently overcapacity. Read more…

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This