It is time to end this state-sanctioned form of animal cruelty.
Ask any dog rescuer on any of Hawaii’s islands for their opinion on the popular and continued practice of feral pig hunting and you will get an earful of negative feedback. For too many years now, dog rescuers and Hawaii’s humane societies have been cleaning up a terribly sad mess left behind by hunters…. the abused and abandoned hunting dogs. Hunting dogs, in general, live lives filled with inhumane treatment, cruelty, and neglect. Too often, dogs are maimed and killed during the hunt. Dogs that get lost or do not return to the hunters’ vehicles after the hunt are left behind to figure out how to live on their own as a stray. And, dogs that fail at hunting pigs or are no longer capable of hunting any longer are dumped along remote roadsides, left to fend for themselves.
In the Star-Bulletin, Mary Ikagawa writes about the sad reality of this animal abuse that is overshadowed by this popular island practice:
"Much is made of the upside of hunting -- the fun, the food, the exercise. There are other things we don't hear so much about:
......Abuse and neglect of hunting dogs, dogs killed or maimed by game animals, dogs left behind when they don't return soon enough."You can read Mary Ikagawa’s complete editorial here:
http://starbulletin.com/2007/06/24/editorial/commentary2.htmlIt is long past the time for this cruel island-wide state-sanctioned act of animal cruelty to be brought to an end.
What can you do?Contact “Rare Hawaii”, to find how you can help to end this cruel and inhumane practice that not only hurts animals, but also damages and destroys Hawaii’s delicate environment.
http://www.rarehawaii.org/Contact you local legislator and tell them that you support strengthening the animal cruelty laws to protect hunting dogs and other animals that are harmed by this inhumane “sport”.
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/info/direct/direct.asp?press1=info&press2=directPhoto Credit: Picture taken by CRAIG T. KOJIMA of Honolulu Star-Bulletin.Photo Image: Craig Stenstrom talked to pigs yesterday while the momma pig ate in the bushes nearby. He says he "got pretty attached" to the swine that began showing up on his doorstop. http://starbulletin.com/2006/07/19/Editorial: Courtesy of Honolulu Star-Bulletin