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New state rule to control feral animals is inhumane

In September, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources passed a drastic rule change that allows its officers to “by any means necessary” destroy any loose animal on public lands and boat harbors throughout the state.

This inhumane approach to controlling feral cat and stray dog populations was vehemently opposed by citizens who attended hearings about the rule change in June and July. Nevertheless, the DNLR passed the rule. It is set to go into effect in January 2019.

Hawaii’s animal rescue groups, the Maui Humane Society and the Humane Society of the United States have been working tirelessly for years to control feral cat populations through humane trap-neuter-release. These programs are working and have reduced the populations in some colonies from over 200 to just 20 over a span of several years.

There is no excuse or rational basis for the DNLR’s actions. What’s more, they are certain to have unintended consequences, such as an increase in the rodent population and accidental deaths of well-loved pets.

I urge anyone who opposes this poorly thought-out plan to write to Gov. David Ige and urge him to refuse to sign the new rule. This is not how Hawaii wants to be perceived by the rest of the world.

Kathleen Clohessy

Kihei

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