New Jersey’s New Bill Wants You To Leave Your Cat’s Claws Alone
If legislation passes, New Jersey will become the first state in the country to ban veterinarians from declawing cats.
Has anyone heard any buzz about this? I just came across it on NJ.com that reportedly a bill is being passed to prevent veterinarians from declawing cats.
An Assembly committee passed legislation on Monday placing onychetomy (declawing) on the list of criminal animal cruelty offenses. The penalty is a fine of $1,000 or up to 6 months in jail for veterinarians who perform this.
Typically, declawing is used a way to stop cats from clawing furniture, property and in some cases, other people. The procedure itself, NJ.com points out, isn't a necessity rather it's a "convenience" for cat owners. Many animal welfare organizations say declawing is actually painful, and similar to "cutting the top of a finger off." Ouch.
Despite veterinarian claims that the procedure isn't as painful as before, it's still considered as "a barbaric practice."
Now, we will wait and see if the bill is passed throughout New Jersey.
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