Hawaii Set to Become 43rd State with Felony Animal Cruelty Law

WASHINGTON --  The Humane Society of the United States, the nation's largest animal protection group, today praised the Hawaii state legislature for passing two separate bills to make the most egregious acts of cruelty to pets a felony.  Next week, a conference committee is expected to resolve language differences in the two bills, both of which include felony provisions for certain acts of cruelty to pets.

Senate Bill 1665, introduced by Senator Clayton Hee (D-23) won final approval from the House of Representatives just before midnight last night after passing the Senate on February 20. House Bill 676, introduced by Rep. Blake Oshiro (D-33) was approved by the Senate yesterday afternoon after passing the House on March 6.

"This is an historic day for animals in Hawaii," said Michael Markarian, HSUS executive vice president.  "With a new felony law, pets will be better protected in Hawaii. The legislature's action today has sent a strong message that the serious crime of animal cruelty is a threat to community safety that will not be tolerated anywhere in the state."

Facts

• Currently, 42 states, plus the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico have felony animal cruelty laws.  Hong Kong passed the equivalent of a felony law for animal cruelty in 2006.  
• States with no animal cruelty felony provisions are Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii, Idaho, Mississippi, North Dakota, South Dakota , and Utah.
• Animal cruelty is linked to violence against humans and violent criminals frequently have histories of serious and repeated animal cruelty. The FBI has recognized the connection since the 1970s, when its analysis of the lives of serial killers suggested that most had killed or tortured animals as children. Of 36 convicted multiple murderers questioned in an often-cited study, 46 percent admitted committing acts of animal torture as adolescents (Congressional Register, 1996). Over half of the school shooters were known to persistently abuse animals (Miner, 1999).
• Research has shown consistent patterns of animal cruelty among perpetrators of more common forms of violence, including child abuse, spouse abuse and elder abuse.
• The American Psychiatric Association considers animal cruelty one of the diagnostic criteria of conduct disorder.
• The HSUS has been a leader in advocating for felony animal cruelty laws.  Of the 46 states and territories with such provisions, 41 were passed within the last two decades.  

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization—backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty—On the web at www.HumaneSociety.org .