Update May 6, 2008: This bill has now passed the House and Senate. It has been sent to Governor Linda Lingle for signature. Â
Update March 27, 2008: S.B. 2895 has now passed the House Judiciary Committee! It is on to the full House for a vote.
Click here to contact Hawaii representatives to urge their support of this bill.
For more informaiton on this bill, read Animal Law Coalition’s earlier report below.
Original report: In 2007 Hawaii adopted HRS §711-1108.5 which made it a Class C felony to torture, mutilate or poison a pet animal.  This was the first time any animal cruelty became a felony in Hawaii.
"Pet animal", though, includes only a dog, cat, domesticated rabbit, guinea pig, domesticated pig, or caged birds as long as the animal is "not bred for consumption." HRS §711-1100. The definition of torture is broad: "’Torture’ includes every act, omission, or neglect whereby unjustifiable physical pain, suffering, or death is caused or permitted." HRS §711-1100 Â
The torture, mutilation and poisoning of all other animals and all other animal cruelty are misdemeanors. HRS §711-1109
Now a bill, S.B. 2895, which has already passed the Hawaii Senate, would make it a Class C felony to torture, mutilate or poison any equine. Â
Click here for a copy of the bill.
What You Can Do
The Hawaii House Committee on the Judiciary will hold a hearing on S.B. 2895 on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. in Conference Rm. 325 at the State Capitol. Â Plan to attend.
Also, and if you cannot attend the hearing to support this bill, write (faxes are best) or call members of the Committee listed below and urge them to vote yes on S.B. 2895 to protect Hawaii’s horses from torture, mutilation and poisoning. Â Just click on their names to find contact information.
Representative Blake K. Oshiro
Representative Angus L.K. McKelvey
Representative Hermina M. Morita
Representative Alex M. Sonson
Representative Joseph M. Souki
Representative Ryan I. Yamane
Representative Kyle T. Yamashita
Representative Barbara C. Marumoto
Representative Kymberly Marcos Pine
Cruelty to mustangs or any other creature is just wrong! How? Men kill these innocent animals! They are using these animals for there own personal gain. They sell these poor creatures for the want of money. It is stupid. I, for one, fully protest this. NEVER should any creature suffer like this.