REPORT TITLE:
Animals; Defense


DESCRIPTION:
Establishes the defense of justification for use of force against
an animal.  Applies to criminal and civil liability.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        2957
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES                H.B. NO.           
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO DEFENSES.



BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 1      SECTION 1.  Chapter 663, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended
 
 2 by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to
 
 3 read as follows:
 
 4      "�663-     Exception to liability for harm to animals.
 
 5 Notwithstanding section 703-301, in any civil action for damages
 
 6 as result of the use of force upon or toward any animal, it shall
 
 7 be a complete defense that the actions taken were justifiable
 
 8 under section 703-  ."
 
 9      SECTION 2.  Chapter 703, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended
 
10 by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to
 
11 read as follows:
 
12      "�703-     Use of force against animals.  The use of force
 
13 upon or toward any animal shall be justifiable under this chapter
 
14 to the same extent that the use of force would be justifiable if
 
15 used upon or toward a person for self-protection or the
 
16 protection of another."
 
17      SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.
 

 
 
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                                     H.B. NO.           
                                                        
                                                        


 1      SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
 
 2 
 
 3                           INTRODUCED BY:_________________________