Maui Time

  • News
    • Walk Story: Mauitime 2018 Candidate Interviews
    • Business
    • Education
    • Health
    • Law Enforcement
    • News of the Weird
    • Politics
    • Science and Environment
    • Surf & Sports
  • Eh Brah
  • Culture
    • Activities
    • Fashion
    • Health and Wellness
    • History
    • Horoscope
    • Letters
    • Maui Community
    • People
    • Wedding
  • Entertainment
    • Art
    • Calendar
    • Community Events
    • Film Critique
    • Movies & Showtimes
    • Music
    • Stage
  • Food & Drink
    • Food News
    • Maui Bars
    • Made on Maui
    • Maui Restaurants
    • Recipes
  • Best of Maui
    • Best Restaurants and Bars, Food and Drink on Maui
      • BEST BAR ON MAUI
      • BEST BARISTA ON MAUI
      • BEST BBQ ON MAUI
      • BEST BENTO ON MAUI
      • BEST DINNER ON MAUI
      • BEST KEPT SECRET ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL BREWER ON MAUI
      • BEST BREAKFAST ON MAUI
      • BEST BURGER ON MAUI
      • BEST BURRITO ON MAUI
      • BEST BUSINESS LUNCH ON MAUI
      • BEST CHEF ON MAUI
      • BEST CHINESE ON MAUI
      • BEST COCKTAIL ON MAUI
      • BEST DINING WITH A VIEW ON MAUI
      • BEST DIVE BAR ON MAUI
      • BEST FARMERS MARKET ON MAUI
      • BEST FEMALE BARTENDER ON MAUI
      • BEST FINE DINING ON MAUI
      • BEST FISH AND CHIPS ON MAUI
      • BEST FISH SANDWICHES ON MAUI
      • BEST FISH TACOS ON MAUI
      • BEST FOOD BOOTH AT FAIR ON MAUI
      • BEST FOOD TRUCK ON MAUI
      • BEST HAPPY HOUR ON MAUI
      • BEST HEALTH FOOD STORE ON MAUI
      • BEST HOSTESS BAR ON MAUI
      • BEST ITALIAN FOOD ON MAUI
      • BEST JAPANESE ON MAUI
      • BEST KID FRIENDLY ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL CHEAP EATS ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL COFFEE HOUSE ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL FARM ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL FOOD ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL FOOD PRODUCT ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL HOT DOG ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL ICE CREAM ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL LATE NIGHT FOOD ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL LIQUOR STORE ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL PIZZA ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL SANDWICH ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCALLY MADE BEVERAGE ON MAUI
      • BEST LUAU SHOW ON MAUI
      • BEST LUNCH ON MAUI
      • BEST MAI TAI ON MAUI
      • BEST MALE BARTENDER ON MAUI
      • BEST MEXICAN FOOD ON MAUI
      • BEST NEW BAR ON MAUI
      • BEST NEW RESTAURANT ON MAUI
      • BEST NOODLE SHOP ON MAUI
      • BEST PANCAKES ON MAUI
      • BEST PAU HANA ON MAUI
      • BEST PLACE TO BUY ADULT BEVERAGES ON MAUI
      • BEST PLACE TO BUY POKE ON MAUI
      • BEST PLATE LUNCH ON MAUI
      • BEST PUPUS ON MAUI
      • BEST RESTAURANT ON MAUI
      • BEST RESTAURANT WITH KAMAAINA DEAL ON MAUI
      • BEST SAIMIN/RAMEN ON MAUI
      • BEST SEAFOOD ON MAUI
      • BEST SECRET WINE CELLAR ON MAUI
      • BEST SERVER ON MAUI
      • BEST SERVICE ON MAUI
      • BEST SHAVE ICE ON MAUI
      • BEST SMOOTHIE ON MAUI
      • BEST SPAM MUSUBI ON MAUI
      • BEST STEAK ON MAUI
      • BEST SUSHI ON MAUI
      • BEST VEGETARIAN ON MAUI
      • BEST VIETNAMESE ON MAUI
    • Best Arts Entertainment and Nightlife on Maui
      • BEST AKAKU PROGRAM ON MAUI
      • BEST BAND ON MAUI
      • BEST DINNER AND SHOW ON MAUI
      • BEST FEMALE MUSICIAN ON MAUI
      • BEST GALLERY ON MAUI
      • BEST KARAOKE ON MAUI
      • BEST LIVE THEATER ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL BLOG ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL CLUB DJ ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL COMEDIAN ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL FACEBOOK FEED ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL INSTRAGRAM ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL RADIO STATION ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL TWITTER FEED ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL VISUAL ARTIST ON MAUI
      • BEST MALE MUSICIAN ON MAUI
      • BEST MUSEUM ON MAUI
      • BEST OPEN MIC NIGHT ON MAUI
      • BEST PLACE TO DANCE ON MAUI
      • BEST PLACE TO SHOOT POOL ON MAUI
    • Best Businesses Goods and Services on Maui
      • BEST ADULT SHOP ON MAUI
      • BEST AUTO MECHANIC ON MAUI
      • BEST PLACE TO BUY AN UKELELE ON MAUI
      • BEST BIKE SHOP ON MAUI
      • BEST BOOKSTORE ON MAUI
      • BEST BRIDAL SHOP ON MAUI
      • BEST CONSIGNMENT STORE ON MAUI
      • BEST GREEN BUSINESS ON MAUI
      • BEST HARDWARE STORE ON MAUI
      • BEST HEAD SHOP ON MAUI
      • BEST HOME FURNISHING ON MAUI
      • BEST HOTEL/ACCOMODATIONS ON MAUI
      • BEST JEWELRY STORE ON MAUI
      • BEST LASER HAIR REMOVAL ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL BOUTIQUE ON MAUI
      • LOCAL CLOTHING DESIGNER
      • BEST LOCAL SURF SHOP ON MAUI
      • BEST MALE BARTENDER ON MAUI
      • BEST NEW BUSINESS ON MAUI
      • BEST OUT-OF-BUSINESS-BUSINESS ON MAUI
      • BEST PET SUPPLY STORE ON MAUI
      • BEST PLACE TO BUY MUSIC ON MAUI
      • BEST PLACE TO GET A BODYBOARD ON MAUI
      • BEST PLACE TO GET A FACIAL ON MAUI
      • BEST PLACE TO GET A MANICURE OR PEDICURE ON MAUI
      • BEST PLACE TO GET KITESURF GEAR ON MAUI
      • BEST PLACE TO GET WAXED ON MAUI
      • BEST PLACE TO SEE WW2 MEMOROBILIA ON MAUI
      • BEST PRESCHOOL/DAYCARE ON MAUI
      • BEST RECYCLING CENTER ON MAUI
      • BEST SALON ON MAUI
      • BEST SCUBA/SNORKEL SHOP ON MAUI
      • BEST SHOPPING CENTER ON MAUI
      • BEST SUP BOARD SHOP ON MAUI
      • BEST SWIMWEAR SHOP ON MAUI
      • BEST TATTOO SHOP ON MAUI
      • BEST WAY TO GET RID OF THE GIANT TV SITTING IN YOUR GARAGE ON MAUI
    • Best Sports and Lesiure on Maui
      • BEST ACTIVITIES COMPANY ON MAUI
      • BEST BARBECUING BEACH ON MAUI
      • BEST CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY ON MAUI
      • BEST COUNTY PARK ON MAUI
      • BEST FITNESS CLUB ON MAUI
      • BEST HIGH SCHOOL SPIRIT ON MAUI
      • BEST HIKE ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL AMATEUR SURFER ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCALS BEACH ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL COACH ON MAUI
      • BEST LOCAL GROM ON MAUI
      • BEST PLACE FOR OCEAN SPORT ETHUSIASTS ON MAUI
      • BEST PLACE TO BUY KITESURF GEAR ON MAUI
      • BEST PLACE TO WORKOUT WITH A VIEW ON MAUI
      • BEST PLAYGROUND ON MAUI
      • BEST PUBLIC POOL ON MAUI
      • BEST SCHOLASTIC ATHLETE ON MAUI
      • BEST SNORKELING SPOT ON MAUI
      • BEST SPA ON MAUI
      • BEST SWIMMING BEACH ON MAUI
      • BEST YOGA STUDIO ON MAUI
      • BEST YOGA TEACHER ON MAUI
      • BEST GYM ON MAUI
      • BEST RESORT POOL ON MAUI
    • Best Politics and Environment on Maui
      • BEST COMMUNITY NON-PROFIT ON MAUI
      • BEST COUNTY BLUNDER ON MAUI
      • BEST COUNTY OFFICAL ON MAUI
      • BEST ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE ON MAUI
      • BEST ENVIRONMENTAL NON-PROFIT ON MAUI
      • BEST GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE ON MAUI
      • BEST MAYORAL CANDIDATE ON MAUI
      • BEST PLACE TO PAY RESPECT TO MAUI HISTORY ON MAUI
      • BEST PLACE TO SEE HAWAII AS IT WAS PRE-CONTACT ON MAUI
      • BEST POLITICAL ACTIVIST ON MAUI
      • BEST POLITICAL SCANDAL ON MAUI
      • BEST RESOURCE ON MAUI POLITICAL HISTORY ON MAUI
      • BEST SCARIEST PUBLIC FIGURE ON MAUI
      • BEST STATE BLUNDER ON MAUI
      • BEST TOWN TO LIVE IN ON MAUI
      • BEST TOWN TO VISIT ON MAUI
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Authors Page
  • Events
  • Add Your Event
  • Events by Venue
    • West Maui
    • South Maui
    • Central Maui
      • Maui Arts and Cultural Center
    • Upcountry Maui
  • How to tip Mauitime: Signal, email and US Postal
  • February 21, 2019
You are here: Home / Culture / Pet Food: No one has publicly opposed a law that would ban dog meat in Hawaii. So what’s the holdup?

Pet Food: No one has publicly opposed a law that would ban dog meat in Hawaii. So what’s the holdup?

April 10, 2014 by Jacob Shafer Leave a Comment

0_Cover_17.43.indd

If you’re a dog owner and this isn’t your worst nightmare, that’s only because you haven’t considered the possibility: your pet, your beloved companion, stolen, slaughtered, cooked and eaten. Like a piece of meat.

It happened on Oahu in 2007, to Frank Manuma and his wife Debbie. The couple’s dog, an eight-month-old German shepherd-Lab mix named Caddy, was stolen from the Moanalua Golf Club while Frank played a round. Eventually police arrested two golf club employees—58-year-old Saturnino Palting and 48-year-old Nelson Domingo—and charged the pair with second-degree theft and first-degree cruelty to animals after they admitted to loading Caddy into their car and later butchering and eating him.

The case was shocking, but to some the verdict was worse: both men got five years’ probation and one-year suspended jail sentences (Domingo wound up serving three months, while Palting did no time behind bars). Even that relative slap on the wrist was possible only because of a 2007 law that changed animal cruelty from a misdemeanor to a felony.

That doesn’t go far enough for animal rights advocates, who have been pushing for years to put a law on the books that bans the possession, sale and consumption of dog meat in Hawaii. This year, Sen. Clayton Hee introduced SB 2026, a bill that would do just that. It passed through committee last week and could come to a vote soon.

“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,” reads the bill, which would outlaw the “slaughtering or trafficking of dogs or cats for human consumption,” and change language in the Hawaii Revised Statutes so that the term “pet animal” would apply even to dogs and cats that were bred for meat.

At least three similar bills have died quiet deaths in recent years. Which is curious, because no one seems willing to publicly oppose them. Dozens of individuals and organizations—including the Humane Society, SPCA and the Honolulu prosecutor’s office—submitted testimony in support of SB 2026. Previous efforts to ban controversial foods like foie gras and shark fin soup in the state got at least nominal pushback. Here, no one said a word.

Does that mean the practice isn’t as widespread as some claim? Is the case of Caddy more an isolated incident and less part of a disturbing trend? Inga Gibson, director of the Hawaii Humane Society, doesn’t think so. “It happens much more frequently than is reported and, due to the loophole in our current animal cruelty laws, such reports are not being investigated [or] prosecuted,” says Gibson.

Because it’s not explicitly illegal to slaughter or eat dogs and cats, she explains, violators must be caught in the act (or confess, like Palting and Domingo) to be charged with first-degree animal cruelty. Since most if not all dog slaughter occurs in secret, that’s a tall order.

Dog meat is part of Polynesian and Hawaiian history. When Captain Cook arrived in Tahiti in the late 18th century, he observed small, stout, flat-faced canines that were kept as pets but also slaughtered and consumed. “Few were there of us but what allow’d that a South Sea Dog was next to an English lamb,” Cook wrote in his journal. “One thing in their favour is that they live entirely upon vegetables.” In his book Unmentionable Cuisine, Calvin Schwabe notes that Hawaiians viewed Westerners as odd, since they raised pigs and dogs yet would eat only the pigs.

The poi dog was bred out of existence more than a hundred years ago, but the practice of eating dogs—which also has roots in Filipino and Chinese culture—lives on.

So there’s the cultural argument. No one’s making it, not openly at least, but it’s there. Is this a case where traditional practices deserve precedence over modern mores? Is there room in a society that overwhelmingly views dogs (and cats) as members of the family for people who view them as dinner?

“I don’t buy the cultural argument, not at all,” says Barbara Steinberg, a Kihei art teacher and self-described animal lover. “People can say it’s their culture, but it’s cruel. It doesn’t have a place today.”

Steinberg says she’s devoted hundreds of hours to getting a dog-meat ban passed, and was disappointed that bills introduced each of the last two legislative sessions went nowhere. “I don’t know what happened,” she says. “I never really got a straight answer.”

Steinberg seems cautiously optimistic about SB 2026. If it does pass, she says much of the credit should go to Carroll Cox, an Oahu radio host who has conducted several independent investigations into the dog meat trade.

Cox declined to comment for this story, or to provide a video he says shows the graphic slaughter of dogs, but he pointed us to his website (carrollcox.com). A few bits of information Cox says he gathered: the going rate for a slaughtered dog is about $35, though bulk discounts are available; dogs are often kept in unsafe conditions and subjected to cruelty prior to slaughter; and some of the dogs he’s encountered were stolen family pets.

Cox highlights the case of Koko (literally “blood” in Hawaiian), a chocolate Lab he purchased for $100 from a man he says offered to butcher the dog for him.

“This beautiful, intelligent, and affectionate animal would have been someone’s dinner by now, had I not rescued him,” Carroll wrote on his website. “I believe it is wrong. Morally and ethically wrong.”

Steinberg concurs: “I can’t believe this is even something we’re discussing in the year 2014,” she says. “We have a responsibility to these animals. We have a responsibility to stop this.”

Click here for more info on SB 2026.

Cover illustration: Drew Toonz

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Culture Tagged With: Cat, Clayton Hee, dog, pets, SPCA

Comments

comments

Subscribe to Our Newsletter


Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

  • News
  • Education
  • Business
  • Health
  • Law Enforcement
  • News of the Weird
  • Politics
  • Science and Environment
  • Surf & Sports
  • Eh Brah
  • Culture
  • Activities
  • Fashion
  • Health and Wellness
  • History
  • horoscope
  • Letters
  • People
  • Wedding
  • Entertainment
  • Art
  • Calendar
  • Community Events
  • Film Critique
  • Music
  • Stage
  • Food & Drink
  • Maui Bars
  • Food News
  • Recipes
  • Maui Restaurants
  • Events
  • Add Your Event
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Authors Page

Copyright © 2019 · Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.