STAND. COM. REP. NO. 426
Honolulu, Hawaii
President of the Senate
Twenty-Fourth State Legislature
State of Hawaii
Madam:
Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred S.B. No. 1665 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to create a new offense of aggravated cruelty to pet animals and to provide appropriate penalties.
Your Committee finds that violence, whether against humans or animals, must not be tolerated in our community. Evidence suggests that there is a link between animal abuse and the commission of violent acts against humans. This bill will make it a class C felony for cruelty to pet animals. In addition to the penalty, any person convicted shall be ordered to attend counseling.
Your Committee heard testimony in support of the bill from the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Hawaiian Humane Society and 35 individuals, including several members of the Maui and Kaua‘i Humane Societies. The Attorney General submitted testimony in support with comments. Your Committee heard one testimony against the bill from the Public Defender's Office, testimony from the Judiciary taking no position and
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1665 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Labor,
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CLAYTON HEE, Chair |
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