HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0382.034 2016-2018 CLERK
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OF THE UNITED STATES
Celebrating Animals I Confronting Cruelty
Eric L.Bernthal,Esq,
Chair of the Board
Jennifer Leaning,M.D.,S.M.H.
Vice Chair September 6,2017
Jason Weiss SUBMITTED VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL
Second Vice Chair
Kathleen M.Linehan,Esq. Hawaii County Council
Board Treasurer Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office
Wayne Pacelle 25 Aupuni Street
President
&Chief Executive Officer Hilo, HI 96720
Michael Markarian counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov
Chief Operating Officer
G.Thomas Waite Iii Re: Comments in opposition to Council Resolution 250-17.
Treasurer
&Chief Financial Officer
Andrew N.Rowan,Ph.D. On behalf of the Humane Society of the United States(HSUS) and our millions
Chief International Officer
of members and supporters, I herebysubmit comments in opposition to the
&Chief Scientific pp pp
Hawaii County Council's Resolution 250-17. While Keith Dane, our Hawaii
Katherine L.Karl
General Counsel policy advisor cannot attend the hearing in person, please accept our comments
&Chief Legal Officer in written form for your consideration.
Amy C.Rodgers
Secretary We appreciate the County's commitment to protecting threatened and
DIRECTORS endangered species. While we share that concern,we are also concerned with the
humane treatment of all animals and recommend against lethal management of
Jeffrey J.Arciniaco
Eric L.Bernthal,Esq. wild species on humane grounds as well as its lack of proven effectiveness. Our
David Brownstein
Erika Bruunsonn , comments are also aimed at helping the Council ensure that the potential adverse
Jerry Cesak impacts of the activities contained in the Resolution are properly analyzed,
Anita W.Coupe,Esq.
Neil B.Pang,Esq.,CPA minimized, and avoided wherever possible.
Jane Greenspun Gale
Spencer B.Haber
primary Ourconcerns with the possible alternatives identified include the
Amanda Hearst
Cathy Kangas following:
Paula A.Kislak,D.V.M.
Charles A.Laue
Jennifer Leaning,M.D,S.M.I. • The humaneness of the methods on target and non-target species; crushing-type traps
Kathleen M.Linehan,Esq. are extremely inhumane and too often do not cause an immediate death.
John Mackey
Mary I.Max • The potential to impact populations of non-target species, including domestic
Patrick L.McDonnell
C.Thomas McMillen companion animals such as small dogs and cats (both owned and unowned),
Judy Ney as well as other wild species that may be attracted to the bait in both types of
Sharon Lee Patrick
Marsha R.Perelman traps.
Margaret Pen
Marian G.Probst • The potential to impact populations of non-target native species, including
Jonathan M.Ratner threatened and endangered species that are at high risk on the Hawaiian
Joshua S.Reichert,Ph.D.
Walter J.Stewart,Esq. Islands.
Andrew Weinstein • The potential effects on the environment from a concentrated number of
Jason Weiss
Suzy Welch deaths occurring within a short time frame.
David 0.Wiebers,M.D.
1255 23rd Street,NW,Suite 450 Washington,DC 20037 t 202.452.1100 f 202.778.6132 humanesociety.org ok f L.)'
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Ref. To: "iJ'
Ref. Date P O,
• The adequacy of monitoring efforts. How often would traps be checked to ensure that
both target and non-target species are not suffering?
• The responsibility of providing for and managing the outcomes of trapped cats should by
no means fall on the local shelter.
Among other impacts,the Council must at minimum assess and analyze the true risk to non-target
species, both wild and domestic. Domestic animals, including owned and unowned cats and
dogs, are found in close proximity to this proposed trapping site, and baited traps placed around
the perimeter will serve to attract more animals to the area. The risk to owned cats is great, as
free-roaming cats are often not visibly marked as owned or not. Expect irate cat owners when
they find their cat was trapped and brought to the Hawaiian Island Humane Society, and possibly
euthanized after a holding period.
The type of lethal trap proposed in this resolution is also of concern. Research into the
humaneness and efficiency of Doc 250 traps is sparse and not conclusive.Formal independent
humane accreditation may not have been secured and we believe that there may be questions as to
whether these traps have been approved for use on mongooses, or whether they are cleared for
use in the United States.
Expecting the Hawaiian Island Humane Society to deal with cats being trapped by a private
company, without their being a part of the conversation from the initial stages is unrealistic and
shows a lack of understanding about the role of a shelter in the community. Shelters are not
exterminators, and should not be expected to take on the additional burden trapped cats would
pose,both in terms of financial costs and logistical concerns like space and staff time.
Finally,rodent and cat populations typically live in close proximity to human populations due to
readily available food sources. If population control is the desired outcome,these populations
must be considered, or they will act as a constant source population that can replenish targeted
populations after being reduced through trapping protocols. Without comprehensive
management,trapping would need to be used in an ongoing manner,to constantly reduce
populations that keep growing back to their carrying capacity.
HSUS is committed to minimizing the impact of predation on vulnerable wildlife in Hawaii.
However,this proposed effort is not in line with humane standards and does not propose an
effective long-term strategy. Thank you for your consideration of our comments on this
important matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss the matter with you at any time.
Sincerely,
Katie Lisnik
Director of Cat Protection and Policy
The Humane Society of the Unites States