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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0283.144 2024-2026From: Troy Levinson �o C Sent: Monday, July 7, 2025 10.48 AM To: Council Testimony Subject: Feeding Feral Animals- Bill 51 -< C:)-< j-- I am writing in support of the prohibition of feeding feral animals on Hawaii County property. i;Z D� Feeding feral animals, especially cats- pose a huge risk to protected species like the Nene, as All as a huge risk to human health and well being. Not only is it a risk to our native species and citizens, but in many cases leads to adverse impacts to the feral animals which are supposedly being "taken care of". Feral cat colonies lead to disease transmission amongst the cats, which can result in slow and painful deaths. This isn't humane for any parties involved. Feeding sides lead native animals like Nene to be habituated to humans, cats, and puts them in danger of being hit by cars. They are wild animals and should be treated as such. Feeding feral animals also directly leads to food being consumed by rodents and mongoose, which pose their own unique threat to native fauna. Feeding feral animals also is a public health issue and nuisance. As a tax paying citizen of the state of Hawaii, we should expect that our public spaces won't be left full of cat food, rubbish, fecal matter, and a whole host of other issues that can lead to poor health outcomes for the citizens of the county. Individuals who feed feral animals consistently leave the areas that they feed in worse condition than it was before they began feeding. Parking lots are littered with plastic dishes, water dishes, and the unmistakable scent of cat feces and urine. This is a nuisance, and shouldn't be tolerated. It is important that the council prioritizes our keiki, native animals, and citizens of Hawaii... as opposed to the small and vocal minority who think they are entitled to feed animals and make a mess of our beautiful public places. Please take a step in the right direction and prohibit the feeding of feral animals on county property. Mahalo, Troy Levinson Coanm.°� ��"/• �� 1� ; . To: YV Ref.