Bill > HB698

This bill aims to increase criminal penalties for animal cruelty offenses, particularly those involving pet animals and service or law enforcement animals. The legislation is driven by research showing a connection between animal abuse and other violent crimes, as well as community concerns about rising animal cruelty incidents. Specifically, the bill makes several key changes: it upgrades cruelty to animals in the first degree to a class B felony when a pet animal is involved, and maintains the existing prohibition on owning animals for five years after conviction; for cruelty to animals in the second degree, it creates a class B felony for cases involving ten or more pet animals or the death of a pet animal, and also prohibits animal ownership for five years; for offenses involving service or law enforcement animals, the bill increases the penalty for a second or subsequent offense from a class C to a class B felony. The bill defines pet animals as dogs, cats, domesticated rabbits, guinea pigs, domesticated pigs, and certain caged birds, and defines service animals specifically as dogs trained to assist individuals with disabilities. The legislature's rationale is that stronger penalties will help deter animal cruelty and provide appropriate consequences for offenders, reflecting the significant emotional bond people have with their pets and the potential for animal abuse to indicate broader violent tendencies.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=698&year=2025