Posted on 03/25/2005 6:20:55 AM PST by KidGlock
Hawaii Bill Would Let Pets Get Trust Money
Thu Mar 24,11:05 PM ET Strange News - AP
By TARA GODVIN, Associated Press Writer
HONOLULU — Shouldn't your loyal dog Spot be able to live out his life in the manner to which he is accustomed if — hypothetically — you should meet your end first? Under a bill scampering through the Legislature, he will. The measure would allow Hawaii residents to leave a trust for the care of their pets after their owners pass on.
Seventeen states already have similar laws, said Cynthia Keolanui, manager of community outreach for the Hawaiian Humane Society.
"Pets share our homes and are considered part of our family. As with any family member, when planning our estate, we want to make sure our beloved companion's future is secure," said Keolanui, speaking on behalf of the group.
However, there is currently no legally enforceable way in Hawaii to leave an inheritance to a dog or a cat, or any other pet.
Attorney Emily Gardner said she got behind the issue because of her experience visiting elderly long-term care patients at St. Francis Hospital with her dog, Toby, who works as a therapy dog.
Several of the residents expressed concerns to Gardner about the fate of their own pets.
But Gardner found there was no solid legal way to entrust money to a pet.
"What's happening is pets and peoples' wishes are falling through the cracks the way the law is now," Gardner said.
No testimony was submitted opposing the bill.
A letter to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs by Gov. Linda Lingle's executive assistant, Marcia Klompus, took an accounting of animal companions belonging to the state's executive branch:
Klompus and her husband Lenny, Lingle's senior communications adviser, own three Pomeranian dogs. The governor has two cats. Lingle's senior policy adviser, Linda Smith, has a parrot that has a potential life span of 70 to 80 years.
"For these reasons, the many pet owners in Governor Lingle's Administration appreciate the work that has been done to bring this matter forward to this Committee," Marcia Klompus wrote.
Then impose an animal inheritance tax, taking 70 percent of the money left to the pet.
Why should pets get preferencial treatment over humans?
ping
ping
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
Next, the bestiality advocates will be petitioning Mayor Newsome of San Francisco to issue marriage licenses for them to marry their pets.
Perhaps this law should be expanded to include pets that have mysteriously expired. I'm thinking in particular of Socks the cat and Buddy the dog. Both of these animals died under curious circumstances and with no Arkansas state troopers in sight. It seems to me that both of these animals may of left this mortal coil due to becoming inconvenient as they became older, so their leashes may of been pulled and water bowls left dry. An investigation is definitely in order.
So...you don't want people to leave money for the care of their pets after they die?
Ping! Ping! Ping!
A prime case of mysterious disappearance!!!
What was Buddy thinking when Bill Clinton invited him to play 'go fetch the stick' in Ft. Marcy Park?
I simply said we should tax the money like we tax it when the children get it.
Why should animals be above the law?
This can't be equated to Terri's case as some have done because the devil she married shows absolutely any regard for life. He's a selfish, scared bastard.
That being said I don't think this is a bad idea. I have a life insurance policy with my mother as the beneficiary and it's specific purpose is to pay for the care of my horses should something unexpectedly happen to me. They are an important part of my life and I want her to be able to care for them without it placing a burden on her.
Some folks don't leave provisions for pets and unfortunatly they end up in bad situations.
On the other hand, leaving more than is needed for care is a waste.
They probably are.......I don't think they will get away without paying taxes....God forbid that should happen for anything.
Actually the idea of pets inheriting was advanced in a nice way in the book and related movie---RHUBARB.
Just think--if cats did own baseball teams, then there would be no steriod scandal--only catnip capers.
Why stop there? My wife took our dog to the vet and it cost me $345. I think we need some type of federal legislated health insurance for pets. We could call it "Comprehensive Relief Aiding Pets."
I don't know can we trust animals with money...they might spend it on things like new shoes (horses)....take the money to the race track (greyhounds)....expensive hunting trips (retrievers)...fancy playground equipment sandboxes included (cats).....new furniture to lay around on (dogs & cats).....
I'm all for this. I've no one I want to leave my money too and if I should die before my beloved dog, I would want him to be taken care of for the rest of his life.
I'm doing it just to piss off my deadbeat brother. My big regret is that I won't be there for the reading of the will.
Good one! LOL
I have a sneaking suspicion that if you leave a trust for a pet, the real world outcome will be that Fido goes on a leash and the caregiver goes on a vacation. Soon as they've drunk down Fido's cash, Fido gets euthanized.
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