HILO — A 1980s rock musician is teaming up with state Sen. Russell Ruderman to tackle what they believe is a widespread problem in Hawaii — animal cruelty.
Ruderman, a Democrat who represents Puna, introduced Senate bills 2263, 2273 and 2270 upon request from his friend, Jane Wiedlin, a musician and member of the band, The Go-Go’s. Wiedlin has lived on Hawaii Island since last summer.
The first proposal, Senate Bill 2263, would ban slaughtering or raising dogs for human consumption. The bill also amends the definition of “pet animal” to include all dogs rather than only those “not bred for consumption,” as currently defined. Changing the definition would close current loopholes in state law which can make prosecuting offenders more difficult.
Wiedlin said she hasn’t personally witnessed dog meat consumption, but she’s heard the practice discussed and considers it both a statewide and Hawaii Island issue.
“It definitely exists here on the island,” Wiedlin said. “Not everyone is eating dogs — it’s probably a minority — but it’s a situation that needs to be addressed.”
Inga Gibson, Hawaii state director for the Humane Society of the United States, said she gets up to five reports each year related to dog consumption — largely on Oahu and Maui. Many times, evidence is anecdotal, she said, and it’s mostly a backyard business here, which makes enforcement difficult.
The second bill, 2273, would bolster the state’s current animal cruelty laws. If passed, the bill would set a limit of three adult dogs per person, or otherwise require a person to get a kennel license.
The bill would establish rules for people tying up a dog, such as, requiring a tether to be at least 10 feet long. The measure also would allow dogs to be seized after a third animal cruelty offense, and place the owner on a county registry of people unfit to own dogs. The bill would set an annual license fee of $20 per dog, with a three-year fee waiver if the dog is fixed.
Ruderman has attempted several other animal cruelty bills in past sessions, including one last year that would have banned cockfighting.
Wiedlin, who owns several dogs and cats and fosters animals with a local rescue group, said the bill proposals are her first time dipping into the political realm of animal rescue. When she moved here, she said, she felt compelled to do something. She saw dogs around the island chained up outside or kept in kennels. Many of the dogs were not neutered or spayed, she said.
“Most people have not ever thought about just how awful it is to be put on a heavy, short chain in the sun or in the rain and attacked by fire ants,” she said. “I think we need to change our mindset about dogs in particular, they’re not objects, we own them, they are ohana and … I think at the very least, each dog should live in a well-fenced yard and out of the elements.”
The final bill, 2270, would require a person to complete a state veterinarian-established training course in order to become an animal control officer. It also would give animal officers the right to seize or inspect an animal that’s been treated cruelly, abandoned or in an unsafe situation.
“I think there are a lot of animals that are mistreated,” Ruderman said. “I do think we have a problem here.”
Ruderman’s dog meat consumption bill garnered approval from at least one local dog advocate. Carl Oguss, who teaches noncredit, dog psychology and training courses at Hawaii Community College, called the measure a positive step.
“Dogs are much more sophisticated animals in terms of their mental abilities and their effective range is quite broad,” he said. “There should certainly be ethical concerns that we use for food and clothing.”
All three bills have had first readings and were assigned to committees.