RES 727 Draft 01 2016-2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII RESOLUTION NO. -` 2 -18 A RESOLUTION REQUIRING A MINIMUM STANDARD OF CARE AND RESPECT FOR ANIMALS IN HAWAII COUNTY, ACKNOWLEDGING ANIMALS AS SENTIENT BEINGS AND RECOGNIZING THAT ALL SENTIENT BEINGS HAVE UNIVERSAL NA'T'URAL RIGHTS. WHEREAS, the Hawaii County Council acknowledges that animals are sentient beings with dignity, self-worth, a vital purpose and reason for existing, and that sentient beings possess the same natural rights that all living beings are entitled to; and WHEREAS, natural rights possessed by all sentient beings include but are not limited to: the right to exist, the right to be respected, the right to be free from cruel and/or violent acts by humans, and any animal which is dependent on a human has the right to proper maintenance and care by that human; and WHEREAS, as sentient beings with highly developed nervous systems, similar in many ways to humans, animals deserve special protection against suffering and pain, in particular, suffering and pain caused directly or indirectly by humans; and WHEREAS, if it becomes necessary to kill an animal in Hawaii County, the killing shall be instantaneous and painless, and as much as possible minimize the animal's apprehension, including any and all culling efforts by Federal, State, or County employees; and WHEREAS, all future contracts written by the County administration for licensing, control and/or management of animals in Hawaii County shall require aggressive adoption efforts, free or low cost spay/neuter services, and incentives to use euthanasia only as a last resort; and WHEREAS, the County of Hawaii Administration pledges to exercise an abundance of care when eradicating or causing to eradicate feral cats, dogs, pigs, goats, or sheep on County - owned properties or at County -owned facilities, using methods that allow for the live trapping of such animals with humane release protocols in place; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that animals are sentient beings with certain natural rights deserving of respect and care, and that all future legislation regarding animals including management and control efforts, shall be consistent with this resolution.