The fine for abandoning an animal in Hawaii would increase under bills advancing on both sides of the Legislature.

Currently, anyone caught discarding an animal can be charged with a petty misdemeanor with a penalty of $50. Senate Bill 2512 and House Bill 2245 would raise that fine to $1,000. The punishment could also rise to $2,000 if the deserted animal dies or suffers substantial bodily injury.

Supporters of the two measures are hoping that the increased fine will prevent the suffering of animals that depend on humans for survival.

“We have one of the weakest penalties in the nation right now,” said Inga Gibson, Hawaii state director of the Humane Society of the United States. “In most states it’s a misdemeanor, and in a few states it’s actually a felony. We need to send a message that pets depend on people for care and compassion, and abandoning them is cruel and illegal.”

Gibson added that the penalty would also apply to those who take other people’s pets and leave them to fend for themselves.

“There have been a number of cases where somebody doesn’t like their neighbor’s cat or dog — so they’re trapping or taking them and dumping them elsewhere to be somebody else’s problem.”

“We really want to use this as an educational tool to help people know if you can’t keep your animal, (or) if you’re having problems with your neighbor’s animal, there are organizations that want to help address those problems,” Gibson said. “That’s the intent of this measure. It’s not to be prosecuting a lot of people. It’s to send a message that this isn’t pono.”

Alicia Maluafiti, president of Poi Dogs & Popoki, cited an instance in written testimony in which a woman dumped her puppy on a busy road and tied the mother dog to a fence. Through surveillance cameras and social media, the group was able to find the woman and have her receive a citation from Hawaiian Humane Society.

“We are supporting the prosecution of this woman to deter other people from dumping animals, but we need greater penalties as well,” said Maluafiti.

Animals that are abandoned can also be a threat to the environment, native animals and ecosystem. Supporters say pets that are not sterilized will reproduce and contribute to feral populations in the state.

Scott Enright, chairman of the state Board of Agriculture, added in written testimony that the abandonment of dogs can lead to feral pack formations that can cause significant harm to livestock and wildlife.

Earlier in the year, state lawmakers introduced a bill that would prohibit individuals from feeding and caring for these animals, but received opposition because it would prevent those who help stabilize feral cat populations through trap-neuter-return programs, and eventually deferred the measure.

On the other hand, SB 2512 and HB 2245 garnered much testimony in support and had no opposition in the five combined hearings before various committees. In addition to the support of local humane societies, organizations such as the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Conservation Council for Hawaii and, more recently, the state attorney general’s office, have submitted testimony in favor of the bills.

“I think it’s a common-sense measure,” said Gibson. “I don’t think anybody supports abandoning an animal. Pets are family. There’s no question that they depend on us. It’s very modest because we’re just raising the penalties.”

SB 2512 was approved by the House Judiciary Committee on March 18 and is awaiting a hearing in the House Finance Committee. Its counterpart, HB 2245, was advanced by the Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee on Monday morning and will move on to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.