Hawaii Redefines “Animal Hoarding”
By defining animal hoarding as possessing more than 20 dogs or cats, a new law could conceivably cause some Hawaiian pet stores and breeders to be accused of animal hoarding, according to the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (Washington).
The legislation, signed into law in May by Gov. Linda Lingle, makes a person guilty of animal hoarding if he or she intentionally, knowingly or recklessly:
- Possesses more than 20 dogs, cats or combination of dogs and cats.
- Fails to provide necessary sustenance for each dog or cat.
- Fails to correct the conditions under which the dogs or cats are living, where conditions are injurious to the dogs’, cats’ or owner’s health and well-being from the person’s failure to provide necessary sustenance.
“Certainly, many pet stores could ‘knowingly’ possess more than 20 animals at a time,” wrote PIJAC in a recent PetAlert. “The definition of animal hoarding as provided in this bill, such as providing necessary sustenance and proper living conditions, could give authorities much leeway in monitoring pet store facilities.”
iolations carry misdemeanor penalties. Persons found guilty of hoarding may be asked to surrender their excess animals to officials. [August 2008 PET AGE]
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