HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0301.009 2020-2022 From: Rebecca Corby
Sent: Friday,July 02, 2021 6:35 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Animal control issue <-
s
Aloha,
The situation for animals on the Big Island is horrendous. '
I'm a 15 year hawaii resident and travelled to over a dozen countries on the planet among a range of p1'aces;considered
3rd world- 1st world
and Hawaii Island is one of the worst places I've encountered and studied when it comes to animal welfare and animal
rights and there's no reason
to continue this shameful legacy. I was apart of the 2018 lava rescue of animals for example and saw first hand how
many local residents treat
animals like disposable garbage, leaving them to die a horrible death by lava and I've seen hundreds of dogs living
- their lives 24/7 on short chains
with no exercise or socialization and it needs to stop.
Here's what needs to change:
1. Portion more of our tax money into animal welfare/local Humane Society and less into things like spraying round-
up all over the county parks and roadways, less into
military, less into propping up the meat and dairy businesses, less into tourism, less into other
frivolous unnecessary projects like repaving parking lots
that barely get used, renovation of county buildings when its not necessary etc.
2. Pass a spay/neuter/breed permit law like many other places have done to bring down the over population problem
of domesticated animals like dogs and cats,
look at places like Seattle that has been able to quickly solve their pet overpopulation problem by passing a law that
requires pet owners to get their pets fixed
unless they have a medical exemption or breeder permit, Hawaii Island shelters kill about 10,000 unwanted pets per
year, this is simply
cruel and UNACCEPTABLE in 2021. We need to hold local residents accountable who do not fix their pets and
allow to breed when so many are dying without homes
3. Have public education via radio ads, TV programs, local News reports, public school seminars etc to educate the
public about animal welfare and responsible,
humane treatment of animals like why pets need to be fixed, not allow them to roam and get hit by cars, not tie them
up 24/7, instead teach them about how to house train
pets and/or keep them in a fenced yard
4. Aggressive spay/neuter and humane treatment campaigns in the roughest neighborhoods on island with the most
stray, abandoned and abused dogs and cats (especially Puna and Ka'u Districts)
5. Pass more specific anti-animal cruelty laws like ban the 24/7 chaining of dogs which is horrendously cruel
Animals do not deserve to live this way and/or get a lethal injection because of cruel uncaring humans here on The
Big Island who breed, abandon and dump them.
Please do everything in your power to make this situation better and follow my steps above and share at the meeting,
Feel free to contact me for more info .Q
Comm.No
1 Ref.To: 5Q
Ref.Date pp.
- 6 9f31
and solutions as well. I am happy to help as I have already been volunteering here in the local shelters/rescue groups
ainong other volunteer projects on island.
Thank you,
Rebecca Corby
6
S '.i
Happy to Het you Buy or Se//jour Piece of Paradise
Rebecca Corby, RS #69544
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