New Jersey To Ban Cat Declawing

The NJ Assembly cleared a bill that would add onychetomy (the medical term for declawing) to the list of criminal animal cruelty offenses. There would be exceptions for medical purposes.

Veterinarians caught declawing a cat and people who seek them out would face a fine of up to $1,000 or six months in jail. Violators would also face a civil penalty of $500 to $2,000, according to Bill A3899.

Many animal welfare organizations oppose the practice because they say it is painful procedure, comparable to cutting off the top part of a finger at the first knuckle.

The bill was sponsored by Assemblyman Troy Singleton (D-Burlington) who said

Declawing is a barbaric practice that more often than not is done for the sake of convenience rather than necessity. Many countries worldwide acknowledge the inhumane nature of declawing, which causes extreme pain to cats. It's time for New Jersey to join them."

Medical Director for the Monmouth County SPCA Nicole Feddersen called it an "invasive surgery," that puts cats "at risk for pain and lameness. A cat still has urge to scratch but cannot."

There are still supporters of the practice, however.

Middletown veterinarian Michael Yurkus, a member of the New Jersey Veterinary Association, claims the medical procedure has become less invasive than in the past., saying

Only the claw bed is removed. We do not cut bone, and the pain medicine that is available today was not available decades ago.

We are not pro-declaw, but we want to prevent them from being relinquished and eventually euthanized. We feel this is between a licensed vet and the client, and should not be regulated by the government."

What do you think? If you get a cat, should you be allowed to declaw it?