Dogfighting. Cockfighting. Animal fighting is a way of life for some people in Hawaii. It’s cultural. It’s also illegal.
What’s the difference between dogfighting and cockfighting in Hawaii? It’s a Class C felony to participate and possess animals for fighting. It’s considered aggravated cruelty to animals. What else?
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick’s felony arrest on dogfighting charges managed to shine a light on Hawaii’s laws governing animal fighting.
Guess what? The Human Society of the US ranks Hawaii near the bottom; one of the five worst states. Why? Apparently it’s acceptable to watch dogfighting. You just can’t participate or possess a dog for fighting.
What’s wrong with that picture? Does it matter?
Apparently not, because both the Honolulu Police Department and the Hawaiian Human Society say they have not received reports of dogfighting on Oahu. That’s not to say dogfighting doesn’t take place in Hawaii. It’s just that there are no official reports of dogfighting.
Cockfighting? That’s a different story. Cockfighting is prevalent in Hawaii. It’s probably cultural. Culture may also explain why there’s no dogfighting in Hawaii. Can you say, “tasty!”?
Why isn’t it a felony in Hawaii to watch animal cruelty such as cockfighting and dogfighting, but it is a felony to participate? All I can come up with is that one is passive, while the other is active, so the loophole in Hawaii’s law is, on the surface, plausible.
It’s also cultural. Some state legislators appear unwilling to put teeth into laws which may affect so many of their constituents. Constituents elect legislators. Constituents support legislators with campaign contributions. Apparently legislators return the favor by blocking the passage of laws which important constituents do not want.
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