Animal cruelty caught on viral video sparks outrage
By Angela Cifone
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HONOLULU (KITV) — Many dogs become part of a family and are given so much love, but not every dog has that experience.
A disturbing video went viral on social media and has gained hundreds of likes and comments.
“It’s obvious that this dog goes through this all the time,” said Chantell Moniz, President and founder of Hina’s Legacy Rescue Foundation.
“Every time we see it, it’s always heart-wrenching. It’s frustrating,” Moniz continued.
Given the heart-wrench, this is something that happens more often than people like to acknowledge.
“We get very upset because this is a common thing. This happens all the time. We see so much, and it’s just hard to unsee what we have already seen,” said Moniz.
The big question is, what happens next if you see or film scenarios like this?
“Send it to Humane Society because technically, they’re the only ones that can actually start an animal cruelty investigation. The process is Humane Society first. Humane Society contacts H.P.D. They start their investigation. They go out to the home, possibly remove the dog, or cite the person,” explained Moniz.
However, that process does not always work.
“I gotta tell you though, in that process, a lot of the times these dogs get returned to the owners because prosecution doesn’t happen,” added Moniz.
The community and advocates do help by filming these situations, but it goes further than that to see a real change.
In 2025, HB 698 was introduced, but failed to pass in the 2026 legislative session.
“Animal cruelty is one that gets thrown out because that’s the least of their worries,” said Moniz.
Representative Ikaika Olds, who was apart of that bill, responded with the following statement:
“I’m furious and appalled by such behavior. We need to pass legislation that provides significant protections for animals.”
On the other hand, the city is working with the Humane Society to help put an end to these criminal acts.
“Recently we just expanded our contract to allow them to do animal nuisance violations, to cite people who are leaving their dogs off leashes, letting them run wild. But in these animal abuse cases, we should look at what more powers we can give to the Humane Society to really help resolve these cases,” said Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, Honolulu City Council Member.
Supporters who fight against animal cruelty believe there’s one place where change can happen that goes beyond the Humane Society or bills.
“In situations like that, yeah, I absolutely feel like they can do more. In situations of no prosecution, that is 100% to be blamed on the prosecutor’s office,” said Moniz.
“Our prosecuting attorney’s office, you know, needs to move forward on these clear-cut cases. I think that that would send a strong signal to these animal abusers that this is absolutely not acceptable in our community,” said Dos Santos-Tam.
For now, the power is in the community’s hands to send situations like this to the right place.
A statement from the Hawaiian Humane Society said, “Our message to anyone in that situation is simple: your report is what makes the difference. Contacting Hawaiian Humane before sharing gives Animal Protection Officers the best chance to intervene before an individual can relocate or conceal an animal or leave the area. “
The Hawaiian Humane Society told Island News that a firsthand witness has now contacted them and their Animal Protection Officers have opened an investigation into this matter.
The organization says they are grateful to this witness for coming forward.
If anyone else witnessed this incident firsthand, recorded original video, or has information relevant to this matter to call our Dispatch line at 808-356-2250.
Reports can also be made anonymously through Animal CrimeStoppers at 808-955-8300.
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