Lawsuit against HIHS is egregious and repugnant
Unfortunately, I started my Sunday by reading a very disconcerting article about a lawsuit filed against the Hawaii Island Humane Society. The lawsuit filed in Third Circuit Court concerns allegations made by the Big Island Dog Rescue against the Hawaii Island Humane Society for “alleging interference for business advantage, appropriation, invasion of privacy and other charges.”
My position of support for HIHS goes back over 10 years. I have known the Executive Director Donna Whitaker and veterinarian Elizabeth Jose for more than a decade. I know that they would never make any effort to damage the reputation of any individual or organization that supports the well being of animals in our community.
As a citizen of the community and a supporter of the Hawaii Island Humane Society, I question the emails written as the foundation of this lawsuit. Even if these emails exist defaming the Big Island Dog Rescue, how were these procured? I might suggest one of three methods:
1) someone hacked into HIHS’s secure email system; 2) someone working at HIHS had access to these emails and leaked them to BIDR; or 3) they are fabricated and therefore an effort to discredit HIHS.
I have four rescue dogs that are treated better than many children. However, on Hawaii Island, some in our community do not care for their animals in a humane way. This not only includes neglect in their care but not having them spayed or neutered.
I find this lawsuit egregious and repugnant. As a business owner and a taxpayer, I feel this lawsuit is not only frivolous but insensitive to the needs of our animal community on this Island. The litigation costs and court costs (many of which will be paid by us as taxpayers) are a foolish expenditure. This money could be better spent on free spay and neuter programs on the island and educating people on properly caring for their pets.
I truly believe the HIHS Board of Directors is not foolish enough to slander others who have a common goal … to save animals.
I appreciate the efforts of ALL animal shelters whether in Hawaii or other parts of the country. I do ponder the question, what happens to an animal that is too sick or injured that is in a “no kill shelter”? Since that facility is not prepared to euthanize that animal, who does? Our local humane society? Are those numbers taken into consideration when determining the Hawaii Island Humane Society’s allegedly high kill rate?
Euthanasia is a very ugly and sad end for many dogs. However, the reality is if the animal is too sick to be rehabilitated, unable to socialize with other dogs or humans, then there is justification for its humane euthanasia.
I am confident that once the Judge hears this case and understands that these accusations are baseless, the case will be thrown out. My hope is that the Board is Directors of the Big Island Dog Rescue is found to be culpable for their misguided actions. Furthermore, I would expect this organization to be responsible to pay restitution to HIHS for attorneys’ fee and repayment to the Third Circuit Court for expenditures for what may be a frivolous lawsuit.
Greg Coden
Holualoa