LET'S CHANGE THE LANGUAGE.

Not the compassion.

A community petition to modernize Hawai'i County's terminology regarding impounded dogs.

Hawaiʻi County Code Chapter 4 Section 4-4-21 currently uses the words “destroy,” “destroyed,” and “destruction” when referring to the disposition of certain impounded dogs.

We are asking the Hawaiʻi County Council to modernize this terminology so that the language used in the law accurately and respectfully describes what happens to living companion animals.

When euthanasia is the intended action, we are asking the County Code to use:

“Humanely euthanized”

rather than:

“Humanely destroyed.”

When the law is referring more broadly to the outcome for an impounded animal—including return to an owner, adoption, rescue placement, foster placement, transfer, or euthanasia when necessary—we are asking the County to use compassionate language such as:

“Placed through an appropriate and humane disposition process.”

This is a request to modernize the language of the law. It is not a request to eliminate the County's ability to humanely euthanize an animal when euthanasia is legally authorized or medically necessary.

What We're Asking For

WHY DOES WORDING MATTER?

Words matter.

The term “destroy” may be appropriate when referring to an inanimate object. It is difficult to see it as appropriate language for a dog.

Dogs entering the County's animal-control system are living animals. They may be someone's lost companion, a surrendered pet, a stray, or an animal awaiting an opportunity for adoption, rescue, foster care, transfer, or reunification with its owner.

The language of our laws should reflect that reality.

Using precise terminology also makes an important distinction:

Euthanasia is a specific action.

Animal placement is a broader process.

Those two concepts should not be represented by the same terminology.

ADD YOUR VOICE

By signing, I respectfully ask the Hawaiʻi County Council to review and modernize the terminology used in the County Code concerning the disposition of impounded dogs and to replace outdated references to the “destruction” of animals with language that accurately describes euthanasia and other humane placement or care outcomes.

Please sign this petition in support of modernizing Hawai'i County's terminology.

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD BY SHARING THIS FORM!

Our Request to the Hawai'i County Countil

We respectfully ask the Hawaiʻi County Council to:

Review the use of the terms “destroy,” “destroyed,” and “destruction” in the Hawaiʻi County Code when referring to dogs or other companion animals.
Replace “humanely destroyed” with “humanely euthanized” where euthanasia is the intended action.
Consider compassionate and accurate terminology for broader animal placement and disposition processes, such as “placed through an appropriate and humane disposition process.”
Review whether similar terminology should be modernized elsewhere in the County Code.
Preserve the County's authority to humanely euthanize an animal when such action is legally authorized or medically necessary.

FAQS

Does signing this petition oppose humane euthanasia?

No. This petition recognizes that humane euthanasia may be legally authorized or medically necessary in appropriate circumstances.

The purpose of this petition is to ensure that euthanasia is called euthanasia, rather than referring to a living animal as being “destroyed.”

What exactly are we asking the County to change?

We are asking the Hawaiʻi County Council to review the use of the terms “destroy,” “destroyed,” and “destruction” when those terms refer to the disposition of dogs or other companion animals.

Where will the petition be submitted?

The completed petition will be presented to the Hawaiʻi County Council for consideration.

Is this a change to the law?
No. This petition is a request for legislative review. Any amendment to County law would have to go through the County's legislative process.