HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0765.115 2016-2018 Murashige, Laura
From: westhawaiihumanesociety@gmail.com
Sent: Monday, March 12, 2018 1:41 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: 3-13-18 2pm Planning Committee Testimony Bill 112
Attachments: HCC 3-13-18 2pm SUPPORT Bill 112.docx
Aloha,
Attached please find testimony in support of Bill 112 with suggested supportive amendments.
Please contact me with any questions.
Best, Inga Gibson
West Hawaii Humane Society
westhawaiihumanesociety.org
facebook/westhawaiihumanesociety ;;;
westhawaiihumanesociety@gmail.coth C
808.922.9910/808.329.2051 `' "-
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March 13,2018
TO: Honorable Chair Eoff and Members of the Hawaii County Council Planning Committee
SUBMITTED BY: Inga Gibson, Policy Consultant, West Hawaii Humane Society
ponoadvocacy@gmail.com, 808.922.9910
RE: SUPPORT FOR BILL 112; Relating to Rooster Farms
The West Hawaii Humane Society respectfully urges your support of Bill 112. We also suggest
the below strengthening amendments.
Hawaii has one of the weakest cockfighting laws in the nation, a mere misdemeanor for the act
of fighting. 47 states have made this activity a felony. This is despite Hawaii having one of the
strongest anti-dogfighting laws in the country. Hawaii also is one of only a few states that does
not prohibit the possession of roosters with the intent they be used for cockfighting.
Cockfighting is a criminal activity that goes hand in hand with illegal gambling and other illegal
activity such as illegal guns and weapons, drug distribution, child endangerment and human
violence. Current laws make enforcement nearly impossible, requiring law enforcement to catch
perpetrators in the act of fighting, yet allowing them to keep the roosters to fight another day.
Roosters kept for cockfighting purposes inherently create more noise than roosters, often free-
roaming on a property, raised for farming purposes. Roosters kept for cockfighting are tethered
within sight, but out of reach, of other roosters as a training tool to increase their aggression.
This same method of tethering is seen in dogs kept for fighting purposes, to increase aggression.
Further, the keeping of roosters for cockfighting purposes increases the disease risk to both
humans and animals.
We agree with and appreciate the intent of Bill 112 to prohibit the keeping of more than 4
roosters in certain areas. To increase compliance and enforceability, reduce illegal cockfighting
activity and to protect legitimate farmers and animal sanctuary operators we recommend the
following amendments:
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- Prohibit any person who "Owns, trains, transports,possesses, sells, transfers, or equips
any bird with the intent that the bird shall be engaged in a cockfight(modeled after HRS
711-1109.3 https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vo114_Ch0701-
0853/HRS0711/HRS0711-11090003.htm)
- Prohibit the removal or keeping of a rooster whose combs or wattles have been removed
or the sharpening of a rooster's natural spurs, unless under the written direction of a
Hawaii licensed veterinarian (this is a practice used by cockfighters, not used by
legitimate farmers or gamefowl shows;
- Prohibit the possession of cockfighting paraphernalia(per Honolulu County Ordinance
Sec. 7-1.2 Gaffs or slashers prohibited. It is unlawful for any person to manufacture,
buy, sell, barter, exchange or have in such person's possession any of the implements
commonly known as gaffs or slashers, or any other sharp instrument designed to be
attached in place of or to the natural spur of a gamecock or other fighting fowl. (Sec. 13-
2.2, R.0. 1978 (1983 Ed.) https://www.honolulu.gov/rep/site/ocs/roh/ROHChapter7.pdf
- Provide exemptions only for those farmers or animal rescue and care operators
possessing more than 4 roosters for farming or animal care and rescue purposes,
contingent upon their registering and securing a permit with the County Planning
Department or the Hawaii Island Humane Society. Such permit will require the party to
enter mediation to address any nuisance issues that should arise from the keeping of said
roosters.
- Provide an extended effective date (i.e. 6 months) to allow rooster owners not keeping
roosters for farming or animal care or rescue purposes to rehome their animals.
Thank you for your consideration of this testimony.
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