HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0283.274 2024-2026From: MARTI WIEDMAN
Sent: Monday, July 7, 2025 8:55 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Bill51, Position: Oppose
We strongly oppose Bill 51, which criminalizes persons who feed animals on county lands.
We are cat owners of 10 rescued animals, all spayed or neutered, which would otherwise be breeding, abandoned,
starved or injured. The criminalization of people feeding these animals does nothing to reduce the population, as the
animals will continue to breed and travel elsewhere for food, and be victims of disease or automobiles.
In addition, the bill will negate the purpose of feeding, which is to trap, spay and neuter the animals, to allow for
potential adoption and reduce breeding.
The TNR helpers, including rescuers, volunteers and veterinarians are instead being penalized for taking responsibility for
the problem of overpopulation. Those who abandon and dump these animals, many of which are helpless kittens and
puppies, should be targeted and fined for animal neglect, abuse and cruelty. That is a bill I would support.
To control overpopulation, please reinforce anti -abandonment laws and form County spay and neuter programs. These
work.
Sincerely,
Martha Wiedman, M.D. and John Quick
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59-055 Olomana Rd.
Kamuela, Hi. 96743
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RC Tc: 2Q25
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