New York could become the first US state to ban the ruthless act of cat declawing.
According to the Associated Press, the new law is expected to get approval by the state’s assembly and senate on the coming Tuesday.
Linda Rosenthal, the legislator who proposed the bill in the New York state assembly, said: “New York prides itself on being first. This will have a domino effect.”
The law has already been passed in cities like Denver and Los Angeles but hasn’t been introduced in any state so far.
Animal rights organizations including The Humane Society and PETA have also supported the new legislation.
“Declawing is a violent, invasive, painful, and unnecessary mutilation that involves 10 separate amputations – not just of cats’ nails but of their joints as well,” PETA wrote on its website.
“Declawing is both painful and traumatic, and it was been outlawed in Germany and other parts of Europe as a form of cruelty.”
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the New York State Veterinary Medical Society (NYSVMS) have, however, criticized the legislation.
The two organizations opposed it, saying this decision should be taken either by a vet or the pet owner themselves.
In their 2019 legislative agenda, the New York State Veterinary Medical Society said: “NYSVMS opposes any legislation that would prohibit the procedure in New York State and erode the ability of a licensed veterinarian to practice his or her profession.
“This position mirrors that of the American Veterinary Medical Association.”
AVMA released a somewhat similar statement, saying that the decision to declaw a cat “should be considered only after attempts have been made to prevent the cat from using its claws destructively or when its clawing presents an above normal health risk for its owner(s).”
According to the new legislation, declawing cats will only be permitted in case of an injury, illness, disease, infection, or any other medical condition associated with cat’s claws that can adversely impact their health.
The bill proposed a fine of $1,000 for the violators.
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