HONOLULU -- Is there still a need for feral pig hunting in Honolulu? Many Manoa and Makiki residents -- worried about hunters too close to their homes -- are saying "no."

Those on both sides of the issue were able to air their concerns in a meeting Saturday with state wildlife officials.

KITV's Denby Fawcett reported that the state began allowing pig hunts in Manoa and Makiki in February. Since then, 47 pigs have been killed, and complaints about wild pigs invading residents gardens have declined.

But some residents said hunters' dogs that are running lose are a menace.

"They are brutal. They are very cruel, and they endanger the whole populace in Manoa -- including pets," Tantalus resident Joel Fischer said.

University of Hawaii law professor Jon Van Dyke said his family pet, a pig named Gonzo, was killed by hunting dogs in April.

"We have been trying to get this hunt shut down. We have been trying to explain to people that it is totally irresponsible to have hunting dogs roaming loose in residential areas," Van Dyke said.

Van Dyke and others urged the state to use cages, corral traps or snares to capture pigs instead of hunting.

"It's going to take a many-pronged approach. I would like to see more hunters learn to use good humane snares like the ones being set in our backyard," Woodlawn resident Sarah Preble said.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources said the pig hunts have paid off by reducing damage on trails and protecting the watershed.

In spite of concerns at the meeting, the DLNR said it is going to continue with the pig hunts. It said if it stops, the pigs will come back. It did say, however, that it is open to modifications.

It said it plans to reduce the number of permitted pig hunting groups from 60 to 15 for better control of hunting dogs.

"We don't want to end the dog hunting program, but we are considering the safety of the people," state wildlife biologist Jason Misaki said.

The state said it also will buy more cage traps and investigate the use of corral traps.

Hunters said it is their cultural right to pursue the pigs for food, but residents said they and their pets also have a right to safety.