Hawaii Senate Bill SCR125

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24
• Refer: 3/19/24

Caption

Requesting State And County Agencies To Notify Animal Welfare Organizations Of Deceased Cats And Dogs That Are Picked Up Along State And County Roadways.

Impact

The bill recognizes the increasing prevalence of microchipping pets in Hawaii, a law enacted in early 2022. It proposes that agencies responsible for the disposal of deceased animals should check for microchips when retrieving these animals from roadways. This action is intended to reunite lost pets with their owners and mitigate the distress caused by not knowing the fate of a beloved companion.

Summary

Senate Concurrent Resolution 125 (SCR125) is introduced during the Thirty-second Legislature of Hawaii in 2024. The resolution requests both state and county agencies to notify animal welfare organizations when deceased cats and dogs are collected from public roadways. With around sixty percent of households in Hawaii having at least one pet, the bill aims to address the emotional toll of losing a beloved animal and the importance of providing closure to pet owners regarding their missing or deceased pets.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding SCR125 is the extent of the responsibilities placed on state and county agencies. While the intention is to promote the welfare of animals and support pet owners, there may be concerns regarding resource allocation and whether current agencies have the capacity to implement these additional responsibilities effectively. Stakeholders may debate the balance between animal welfare and the operational limits of city and county resources.