Most Olympics mascot designers have decided not to stray too far from the formula of picking the cutest possible animal associated with the games venue.

BBC: How not to have an Olympic mascot nightmare

On the Big Island, where people use dogs for hunting wild pigs, many residents have at least five and some as many 30 dogs, says Debbie Crazatta, founder of the Kohala Animal Relocation and Education Service, which helps find homes for stray dogs.

WSJ: Hawaii Turns to Dog Shrink as 'Incessant Barkers' Cut Plea Deals

Animal welfare charity Blue Cross said it dealt with 1, 530 stray and abandoned animals this year, compared with 1, 027 in 2010 - a rise of nearly 50%.

BBC: Credit crunch 'prompts abandoned pets rise'

As vulture numbers decline, so stray dogs are becoming much more numerous, feeding off the increasing number of unattended animal carcasses.

BBC: NEWS | Science/Nature | Bird groups hopeful on vultures