In light of the recent HSUS report, which points out that Hawaii is one of the worst states in providing protection for dogs from fighting, the Star-Bulletin Editorial Page notes that Hawaii is even worse when is comes to protecting roosters from cock fighting, a blood sport that is, sadly, common and known to occur across all of Hawaii’s islands.
The Star Bulletin writes:
HAWAII has been cited as being among five states with the weakest dogfighting laws in the country. Greater shame should be attached to its distinction of being among the four states with the weakest cockfighting laws. Unlike dogfighting, cockfighting is known to exist in Hawaii.http://starbulletin.com/2007/09/17/editorial/editorial02.htmlAnimal lovers can attest to the frustrations associated with trying to get legislators and law enforcement to put a stop to the cruel “sport” of cock fighting. Instead of sympathizing with the animals and assuring animal advocates that they will try to help alleviate the animal suffering, they are, instead met with disdain and told that cock fighting is a “cultural” activity.
The Star Bulletin also addresses this sad “cultural” argument in its editorial, as well as the spinelessness of legislators who choose to cater to the ignorance of animal abusers over protecting animals from cruelty at the hands of fighters.
An attempt to make cockfighting a felony was blocked five years ago when a state representative from the Big Island who headed the House Judiciary Committee blocked it, explaining, "I have a lot of cockfighting constituents." Legislators should work up enough courage to ignore the wishes of criminals to minimize their punishment.The Star Bulletin editorial can be found here:
http://starbulletin.com/2007/09/17/editorial/editorial02.htmlCock fighting is not a cultural tradition! It is a barbaric and inhumane acitivity! It is animal cruelty!The inaction of our legislators and their refusal to do what is right for fear of losing the votes of animal fighters is unacceptable!!! There is no excuse for animal cruelty and those legislators who bow to the whims of animal abusers should never be voted into office. We are a State with a culture of Aloha. That should extend to all living creatures on all of Hawaii’s beautiful islands.
What can you do?Call your local legislators and tell them that Hawaii should join the rest of the nation in toughening up its animal cruelty laws. Tell them that you no longer want Hawaii to be known as a State that cares little for its animals. Tell them that Aloha means something, and that they should legislate accordingly. There is no Aloha, the true cultural tradition of Hawaii, when there is animal cruelty!
You can go here to find your local legislators.
http://www.hawaiianhumane.org/animallaws/index.htmlQuotes Courtesy of The Star-Bulletin.Photo Courtesy of Best Friends Network.