On Wednesday, Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed six bills into law, all designed to protect animals. Hopefully, more states will follow Hawaii’s lead and the growing trend to protect animals in other states. While the progress is slow, we are seeing movement in the right direction – a movement to the side of compassion.

A KHON 2 article reviewed each of the six laws, noting one bans steel-jawed traps. Another law will help punish those who run puppy mills. For anyone found guilty of misdemeanor animal cruelty involving at least 10 animals, the penalty will bump up to the felony level. And the guilty party could get up to five years in prison. They will also be banned from possessing animals for up to five years.

The ban should be for a lifetime – or at least far more than five years. So I do have a problem with this provision.

Law enforcement animals will gain better protections; pet deposits will allowed for tenants with pets and a system will be in place to allow for the collection of restitution funds to help local animal welfare groups care for abuse victims.

We do need to see more severe criminal penalties imposed across the board, at the state and federal levels. Those who abuse animals should not walk free and those found guilty in more extreme cases should spend a lot of time behind bars.

 

PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic