BOSTON —The Massachusetts State Senate passed a bill that would ban the practice of declawing and performing tendonectomies on cats throughout the state.
The bill, S.2552—An Act prohibiting inhumane feline declawing, would only permit veterinarians to declaw cats if they deem the procedure medically necessary. If passed, the civil penalty for violating this law would be $1,000 for the first offense, $1,500 for a second offense, and $2,500 for a third or subsequent offense.
“Declawing of cats does not improve the human-animal bond and often results in serious medial and behavioral problems,” said Ally Blanck, the Animal Rescue League (ARL) of Boston’s director of advocacy. “Banning this cruel practice, which is in essence amputation, will prevent animals in Massachusetts from needless pain and suffering.”
Declawing is a procedure that removes the first bone of each toe, while tendonectomies involve severing the tendon in each toe responsible for extending the claws.
Cats subjected to claw removal often suffer from discomfort in their paws and back, risk of infection, tissue necrosis, and may face difficulties in using their legs effectively. Additionally, these cats are prone to nerve damage and bone spur formation due to claw regrowth. These procedures are generally carried out for human convenience and to protect furniture, not because they are medically necessary.
“Declawing cats is a practice we need to leave in the past,” said Senator John Cronin (D-Fitchburg), the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. “I’m proud to stand with my colleagues and all of the advocates who made this legislation possible.”
Senator Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford) said it’s about time that the state ban this “abhorrent practice” and hold animal abusers accountable for their actions.
“Declawing is an abhorrent practice that most veterinarians view as inhumane,” Senator Montigny said. “But it is also a procedure that is widely misunderstood and requested by owners. By passing this legislation, veterinarians will no longer have to weigh the choice knowing that if they don’t provide the procedure an owner is likely to just look for someone who will. This is another step in my commitment to protect animals in the Commonwealth. As a state we have done far too little to punish heartless abusers and to push back against a weak court system that has too often failed to hold them accountable. There are too many people who have committed horrendous abuses to animals that have been unpunished and are walking free to continue to do harm.”
The bill is now heading to the House.
If passed, Massachusetts will join New York and Maryland as the third state to enforce a statewide ban on declawing.
