Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0283.258 2024-2026From: Cynthia Tucker Sent: Sunday, July 6, 2025 8:18 PM To: Council Testimony, Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Kimball, Heather, Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Galimba, Michelle M.; Villegas, Rebecca; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace, James Subject: Bill 51 - strongly oppose - July 7th meeting Hawaii County July 6, 2025 u, ca4 Cap C= 4 ©-< Cynthia F Tucker Naihe, PsyD Licensed Clinical Psychologist Kailua, Oahu -_ Addressed to: Council Members and Council Testimony at Hawaii County/ Government: Matt Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder; Heather L Kimball; Jennifer Kagiwada; Dennis Fresh Onishi; Ashley Lehualani Kierkiewicz; Michelle Galimba; Rebecca Villegas; Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba; James E. Hustace Regarding Bill 51 — against penalizing citizens as specified in Bill 51 i Aloha Honorable Esteemed Hawaii County Council Members; and County Testimony Hawaii County: As introduction, I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist, practicing for approximately 29 years. I currently reside in Kailua, O'ahu, but provide professional services across the islands. I have had offices in both Kailua, O'ahu (currently, and Princeville, Kaua'I (previously). As well as extensive experience within the field of Psychology; I also have some background in Natural / Biological Sciences; Statistics; Research Design as well as extensive experience in private practice, experience long ago with locked psychiatric facilities, clinics, group practices, etc. I am taking the time to write from O'ahu and send my stance and lend support to those who would like to strongly oppose Bill 51 in punishing and criminalizing altruistic behavior of average citizens. I am rather appalled this is up for a vote and I will explain why that is. If anyone was not aware, it is traumatizing to people to have animals harmed or abused, and that is part of why it is a felony for animal abuse within 50 states, as well as abuse of animals on its own is against the law. Starving animals is animal abuse. Having people have to be aware of it, or witness, is abuse as well of the people, any of whom feel a connection or concern for the cats on island, can lead to not only cats that suffer — which is actually unlawful — but people suffer as,well. I believe the criminalization of altruistic behavior does not belong in our society, and that in fact you would be rewarding people committing the crimes of dumping cats — which is an actual crime — and then inadvertently assisting these criminal behaviors by helping them to starve and kill the cats in that manner — which will increase people who dislike cats — to steal and dump cats, and feel very satisfied that you would be inadvertently assisting them with their crimes of animal dumping. I would think more people who do not like cats - will dump cats and o rve COMIT9. N. RcF. Tz- - 1 Ref. Datie—'�U — 2025 them, since that is their goal. The state would then be inadvertently assisting people such as this with their goals of harming cats and allowing them to suffer. My understanding is that there has been a potential plan offered on the Big Island that establishes cat care givers who would establish safe methods for feeding of the cats, as well as spay / neuter all of the cats to prevent the population from growing. I can't imagine or understand why this solution would not be utilized, and why this vote comes up before that kind of utilization of a solution would come into effect. Bill HR 1987 some years ago, calling for 'culling of cats' across the islands - had the largest turn out, I believe, in the history of Capitol testimony, and an all out rejection and at close to 1500 responses largely by people and organizations appalled at the idea of culling cats in any such manner against that Bill HR 1987. HR 1987 did not pass by an overwhelming number of votes. This bill is a version of HR 1987, in which it would harm cats, and people who cannot stomach animal abuse and has already been shut down by a large public outcry against it. Again — that Bill was shut down -and was not picked up again. In Waikoloa.a few years ago, there was a 'starvation of cats'— was clearly deeply upsetting and possibly even traumatizing to many, especially since there are much -better ways in which to address the cat issues at that time. The cats died a slow and agonizing death, and I have not seen this since as no one has ever suggested doing this again. It was 'a failure. On O'ahu there have been committees developed or established in Bills to address all of these issues, in a manner that is a much healthier response, and does have an actual committee overseeing responsible care of cats. Animal abuse and domestic violence, and other forms of crime are highly related to one another. This is well established in the field of psychology, and also I would believe with police sciences, etc. The FBI had a registry for persons that are serial offenders to animal abuse because they are so likely to be involved in other highly violent crimes. Animal abuse often is the first step of those pre -inclined to sociopathy. I do believe all would not like this type of development. There has been one particular psychological study that is recent coming from Australia, that studied the psychological effects and harm to the people who were caregivers of cats, who by the nature of the self — naturally have an affinity to cats, and are horrified by the abuse of cats. The people in the study who witnessed culling of cats — many of them went on to develop PTSD, and other trauma related symptoms that were lasting suicide as depression and anxiety, and some of them went on to develop suicidal ideation. Please do not let the State participate in this punishment of people who naturally cannot stomach animal abuse and suffer when they know its ongoing, as well as allowing for the unnecessary abusive conditions of starving cats. It believe that it is traumatizing for some people who have a natural affinity for cats and other animals, that can be potentially harmed by that type of punitive law; and that criminal behavior of dumping cats is the issue to focus on for punishment — of a crime, and that altruistic people not be persecuted or criminalized in a civil society, which is the kind of society I know that we are. Punish the dumpers, not altruistic people. Please do not allow cats to die a long drawn out suffering death of emaciation and pain. That is horrific. Under normal circumstances' it's against the law - and I don't see why it isn't here, against the law. I've seen some groups across the islands try to categorize cats as akin to mongoose etc. This is definitely not the case, they are largely seen as domestic pets and adored by so many people. Even the American Psychiatric Association provides articles as to why having pets such as cats and dogs, can be so healthy for people. This is also why doctors will give letters stating emotional needs of some patients and the calming, healing abilities of dogs and cats. I lend my voice to join with those who are deeply opposed to this Bill 51, and my strong opposition of Bill 51- unless amended to state that cat caregivers have full access to provide care, food, water, veterinary care, to the cats; and then absolutely being sure that there are many caregivers available every single day making sure conditions are acceptable for the cats who were dumped on state land. I'm actually for not criminalizing people - for altruistic behaviors - at all in these instances. It is counter to what we want in society, the way we would like our keiki to see how to handle issues - in a more thoughtful, intelligent, humane, strategic and productive way - and not, in a way that would in any way incorporate animal abuse such as starving animals. Again goes completely against the will shown of the people in HR 1987 that was completely dropped due to public outrage. But an amendment is apparently what some are asking for, so I will go that. But I really want - no criminalization of altruistic behaviors shown to animals who did not bring themselves to public state land. Punish the people who did that - dump them there. Thank you for your time, and for kindly reading my concerns, and my voice against the criminalization of citizens who are naturally hard wired against animal abuse and starvation and suffer when they learn of it. There are other ways that are humane to both animals, and people, to manage the situation that have been presented to this committee. Yours very truly, I Cynthia F. TuckerNaihe, Psy.D Kailua, Hawaii 96734 808 227-1881 This e-mail, including attachments, may include confidential and/or proprietary information, and may be used only by the person or entity to which it is addressed. If the reader of this e-mail is not the intended recipient or his or her authorized agent, the reader is hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by replying to this message and delete this e-mail immediately.