It is time to stop
using police dogs
This is regarding “PETA weighs in on K-9 Archer’s death” (Tribune-Herald, Sept. 9).
Baking to death in a hot car is a prolonged, painful and terrifying way to die, and Archer is at least the fifth K-9 in the U.S. to suffer this gruesome fate this year.
At least 39 K-9s have been killed, assaulted, shot, stabbed, attacked by other dogs, or otherwise seriously injured in the line of duty in 2025 — and that’s only those whose stories have been reported publicly.
Reviewing policies and procedures simply isn’t enough. It’s time for the Hawaii Police Department — and all police departments — to stop endangering dogs by phasing out and ending the use of K-9s altogether.
Unlike the men and women who choose to put on the uniform each day, police dogs don’t voluntarily “protect and serve.” They are drafted into dangerous roles, sent into situations where no living being should go, and often lose their lives.
The time for using police dogs has passed — just as the time for carrier pigeons and horse-drawn carriages has.
Law enforcement agencies can employ state-of-the-art methods of investigation and enforcement — including robotics, drones and sophisticated surveillance and forensics — that can enhance operational safety without risking anyone’s life.
Dogs deserve protection from human conflict, not forced participation in it.
Archer’s death must be the reason we say enough.
Colin Henstock
Associate director of project strategy,
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
The focus should be
on saving the Earth
In reading John Powers’ letter of Sept. 12, I have two comments.
1) There are other sources of fertilization for plants and trees other than synthetic ones.
2) It would take a very, very, very long time to prepare any planet for human occupation. A nice dream, but only that — fodder for science fiction.
We need to face reality. We need to save this planet, but that isn’t even a consideration of this administration. In fact, they are working against it.
Our only hope is for a new administration with a mission to take immediate action and work with other countries in an effort to turn things around.
The world worked to close the ozone hole. Nature can sometimes recover remarkably from man’s damage, but we have to give it a chance.
Karen Cooper
Hilo
