HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2368

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to animal cruelty.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that despite the enactment of several animal cruelty offenses, local humane societies, law enforcement agencies, and animal protection groups continue to receive reports of dogs and cats being sold, trafficked, or slaughtered for human consumption.  Some of these cases involve dogs and cats that were stolen or lost or acquired via online advertisements for dogs or cats "free to good home".

     In 2007, two defendants were prosecuted in Hawaii for stealing a pet dog from the Moanalua Golf Course and killing the dog with the intention of eating the animal.  However, the defendants were charged based on their admission to stealing and butchering the dog rather than killing the pet to consume it because the Hawaii penal code does not prohibit the slaughtering or trafficking of dogs or cats for human consumption.

     There are nearly a dozen states in the United States that prohibit the slaughter of dogs or cats or the sale of dog or cat products for the purpose of human consumption.  The Philippines, Taiwan, and Hong Kong also prohibit the sale or trafficking of dogs or cats for human consumption because the consumption of these animals may spread disease to humans.

     The purpose of this Act is to prohibit the slaughtering or trafficking of dogs or cats for human consumption.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 711, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§711-    Cruelty to animals by slaughtering or trafficking dogs or cats for human consumption.  (1)  A person commits the offense of cruelty to animals by slaughtering or trafficking dogs and cats for human consumption if the person intentionally:

    (a)   Slaughters by the person's self or in conspiracy with another person a dog or cat for the purpose of human consumption;

    (b)   Traffics dogs or cats or dog or cat products for the purpose of human consumption; or

    (c)   Possesses dog or cat products for the purpose of human consumption.

     (2)  As used in this section:

     "Dog or cat products" means the carcass or part of a carcass of any dog or cat.

     "Sell" means the transfer of a dog or cat or dog or cat products to another for the purpose of human consumption.

     "Traffics dogs or cats or dog or cat products" means breeds, raises, sells, offers for sale, exchanges, transports, transfers, receives, trades, or barters dogs or cats or dog or cat products.

     (3)  Cruelty to animals by slaughtering or trafficking dogs or cats for human consumption shall be a misdemeanor."

     SECTION 3.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Penal Code; Animal Cruelty; Slaughter or Trafficking of Dogs or Cats for Human Consumption

 

Description:

Prohibits the slaughtering or trafficking of dogs or cats for human consumption.

 

 

 

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