Animal rights groups including the Humane Society of the United States joined a small group of lawmakers calling on the Legislature to act on bills aimed at discouraging animal cruelty.

Bills still alive in the House would clarify the state's dog fighting laws, prohibit chaining dogs to a stationary object, determine minimum veterinary care standards and ban the possession of instruments related to cockfighting.

Senate measures include new prohibitions on shark finning and a requirement that foie gras served in Hawaii come from farms certified in humanely working with the product.

“;It's interesting that there's been a lot of push back on both of these bills,”; said state Sen. Clayton Hee (D, Kahuku-Kaneohe), who introduced both Senate proposals. “;In my mind it suggests the unfamiliarity and un-education when it comes to these animals.”;

Some of the opposing testimony has come from enforcement agencies that say the cases would be difficult to prosecute, and agricultural and food groups that say the measures are too broad and restrictive.

On bills such as the dog fighting measures, opponents have included the state Office of the Public Defender, which argued that there is no compelling reason for the change in existing law.

“;Dog fighting is not a problem in the state of Hawaii,”; chief Deputy Public Defender Timothy Ho said in written testimony. “;No one has been prosecuted under our current dog fighting law.”;

The national Humane Society says that in a recent ranking of dog fighting laws across the country, Hawaii was 50th, in part because it is one of only two states with no penalties for attending or wagering on organized dog fighting.

Inga Gibson, director of the state office of the Humane Society, urged lawmakers to consider the overall impact of the proposals.

“;When you talk about our efforts this session on anti-chaining of dogs, we're talking about public safety. When we're talking about prohibiting foie gras and shark-finning, we're talking about public health issues,”; she said. “;A lot of our issues really have to do with making safer communities and being more humane and helping people.

“;Animal issues are people issues.”;