The state's pig hunting program was intended to target wild boar, not mark an open season on pets. Yet after four months, at least three pets have either been killed or seriously injured. Something has got to change.

Residents of the Tantalus and Manoa areas know all too well the amount of damage these feral pigs can do. This may explain why a majority supported the hunting program after the Department of Land and Natural Resources held community meetings.

A Jan. 30 DLNR press release, however, clearly states: "Hunters are responsible for the control of their dogs at all times." These incidents prove that that's not always the case.

Hunters have yet to be identified and held accountable for the fatal attack on a pet pig in Tantalus and the attack on a small dog in Manoa.

Perhaps even more alarming is the May 27 incident involving a pet goat. A 9-year-old girl witnessed the attack and was dangerously close, according to an article by Advertiser reporter Mary Vorsino. It wasn't until the girl's father yelled for her to come in and started fending off the dogs that she was out of harm's way. This is reason enough for concern, particularly since the program is set to continue through 2008.

State Rep. Kirk Caldwell has already set up a meeting with DLNR and is calling for either stricter enforcement or tracking down illegal hunters. Both should be done.

In the meantime, the state should reevaluate the program, addressing the obvious threats to public safety. Getting rid of pesky pigs is one thing — but protecting the public is the top priority.