Ivory and whales
Ivory and whales
Michelle Lincoln, who submitted a letter opposing an ivory sales ban, conveniently failed to mention that she works for an ivory retailer, Whalers Locker, on Maui. She and other ivory dealers literally make a living off the backs of animals and dupe unknowing tourists into purchasing these items from numerous endangered species.
Would we sit idly by while someone profited from the sale of Hawaii’s sacred and endangered nene, sea turtles, monk seals or other species?
Elephants might become extinct in the wild in the next 10-15 years if the current rate of killing continues, almost 100 elephants every day, and retailers such as Whalers Locker fuel this market.
Those who make a living off the exploitation of wildlife and other animals would love nothing more than if the Humane Society of the United States, the most effective animal protection organization in the nation, only worked on pet shelter issues.
Thank goodness we have the HSUS, which fights for the protection of all animals in Hawaii and around the world.
Rene Umberger
Kihei, Maui
When dogs roam
Living in Hawaiian Acres for 30 years, too often I have lost pets and livestock to predatory roaming packs of dogs. I know many owners think dogs should be free to roam beyond your property, but roaming dogs become packs, and the most vicious dog in the pack becomes the leader — that’s just the way nature works.
I tried to frighten off hunting packs from my property, but they come back. I could kill these dogs, but that would be unfair to the dogs — who are only following their nature — and to the families that (maybe?) love them.
Bottom line: Control your dogs. Teach them to respect your property, but also to understand they are not allowed to hunt or terrorize your neighbors.
If you let them roam free, they will join other dogs to form killing packs. That is their nature.
They will in turn be killed or captured by concerned neighbors protecting their own animals. That is our nature.
Joel Aycock
Hawaiian Acres