HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0193.004 2024-2026From:
Jonathan Dworkin
Sent:
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 8:23 AM
To:
Council Testimony; lauren@alohaanimals.org; Clayton Foster
Subject:
Feral Cat Problem
To Whom it May Concern,
I'm an infectious diseases doctor who lives on the Big Island. I want to write in support of a humane animal
control program for the county. I understand that feral cats, as well as abandoned dogs, are an ongoing
problem, as well as a public health concern.
The county may be tempted to pursue cheap fixes such as putting down animals with poison. That would be a
mistake. In addition to being inhumane, it may have downstream impacts, especially if poison gets into the
environment and impacts other animal populations. Rats are also a concern, as they remain major vectors of
infectious diseases (including Leptospirosis and Typhus, both of which I have diagnosed in patients here). We
do not want an out -of -control rat problem resulting from an inhumane killing of cats.
As a physician and a community member, I would like to see the county expend some resources on humane
animal control. This should include support for animal shelters, as well as spay and neuter programs.
Thank you for your time.
Jon Dworkin, MD
1 RIL DQ� 2025