Bill Text: HI HB793 | 2015 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Penal Code; Animal Cruelty; Slaughter or Trafficking of Pet Animals for Human Consumption

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-2)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-01-28 - Referred to JUD, referral sheet 3 [HB793 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2015-HB793-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	793
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to animal cruelty.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that despite the enactment of several animal cruelty offenses, local humane societies, law enforcement agencies, and animal protection groups continue to receive reports of dogs and cats being sold, trafficked, or slaughtered for human consumption.  Some of these cases involve dogs and cats that were stolen or lost or acquired via online advertisements for dogs or cats "free to good home".

     The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Prohibit the slaughtering or trafficking of dogs or cats for human consumption; and

     (2)  Amend the relevant portion of the definition of "pet animal" as used in chapter 711, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to mean any dog or cat, regardless of whether the dog or cat was bred for consumption.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 711, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§711-    Cruelty to animals by slaughtering or trafficking dogs or cats for human consumption.  (1)  A person commits the offense of cruelty to animals by slaughtering or trafficking dogs or cats for human consumption if the person intentionally:

    (a)   Slaughters by the person's self or in conspiracy with another person a dog or cat for the purpose of human consumption;

    (b)   Traffics dogs or cats or dog or cat products for the purpose of human consumption; or

    (c)   Possesses dog or cat products for the purpose of human consumption.

     (2)  As used in this section:

     "Dog or cat products" means the carcass or part of a carcass of any dog or cat.

     "Sell" means the transfer of a dog or cat or dog or cat products to another for the purpose of human consumption.

     "Slaughter" means the killing of an animal for food purposes.

     "Traffics dogs or cats or dog or cat products" means breeds, raises, sells, offers for sale, exchanges, transports, transfers, receives, trades, or barters dogs or cats or dog or cat products.

     (3)  Cruelty to animals by slaughtering or trafficking dogs or cats for human consumption shall be a misdemeanor."

     SECTION 3.  Section 711-1100, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definition of "pet animal" to read as follows:

     ""Pet animal" means [a]:

    (a)   Any dog[,] or cat[,]; or

    (b)   A domesticated rabbit, guinea pig, domesticated pig, or caged birds (passeriformes, piciformes, and psittaciformes only) so long as not bred for consumption."

     SECTION 4.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 5.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Penal Code; Animal Cruelty; Slaughter or Trafficking of Pet Animals for Human Consumption

 

Description:

Prohibits the slaughter or trafficking of pet animals for human consumption.  Specifies that a "pet animal" shall include all dogs and cats.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.