Requesting The Department Of Agriculture And Biosecurity And Department Of Law Enforcement To Increase Penalties And Enforcement Mechanisms For Dog Attacks On Livestock.
Summary
SR113 is a Senate Resolution requesting the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Department of Law Enforcement to increase penalties and enforcement mechanisms related to dog attacks on livestock. The resolution frames livestock production as important to the state’s economy, food security, and land stewardship, and it emphasizes that livestock owners already use fencing and low-stress handling practices to protect animals.
The measure highlights the harms caused when uncontrolled dogs harass, injure, or kill livestock, including substantial financial and emotional losses for producers. It notes that a single attack can result in the loss of as many as eighty animals, underscoring the scale of the problem the resolution seeks to address.
Impact
Because SR113 is a resolution rather than a bill creating statutory changes, it does not itself amend Hawaii law or impose new penalties. Instead, it urges the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Department of Law Enforcement to strengthen enforcement tools and penalties for dog attacks on livestock, potentially influencing future administrative action, policy changes, or legislation affecting animal control, livestock protection, and enforcement practices.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment reflected in the resolution is strongly supportive of livestock producers and protective of agricultural interests. The bill text presents dog attacks on livestock as a serious and costly problem and calls for stronger government response. No committee testimony or vote history is provided, so there is no recorded opposition or formal debate in the available materials.
Contention
The main policy tension is between protecting livestock and determining how far to go in increasing penalties and enforcement against dog owners. Supporters of the resolution are likely to be livestock producers and agricultural stakeholders who want stronger deterrence and better enforcement. Potentially affected parties include dog owners, animal control authorities, and enforcement agencies, though no specific opposition is documented in the available record.
Same As
Requesting The Department Of Agriculture And Biosecurity And Department Of Law Enforcement To Increase Penalties And Enforcement Mechanisms For Dog Attacks On Livestock.