Despite the inherent danger of cohabit with an animal with piercing claw and an irregular disposition , mostcatowners recognize that those tiny fiddling knives on their paws are a biologic right . The practice of “ declawing ” a cat is inhumane — the unspeakable procedure can result in persistent discomfort — and late years have seen an increase amount of documentation for prohibiting it from being do . New York justpasseda bill outlawing declawing , and now Massachusetts is considering doing the same .

accord toSouth Coast Today , a hearing refer the billwas conductedbefore the state ’s Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure on July 22 , and a decision is forthcoming . If it advances , Massachusetts would become the second DoS to pass sweeping measures to punish anyone performing the procedure . In New York , the fine is up to $ 1000 . Individual cities like Los Angeles , San Francisco , and Denver have also passed measuring nix it .

declaw a cat is not a affair of just removing nail . It involve amputating a percentage of the os up to the first knuckle of each toe . take their hand permanently alter can cause a cat to have problem walking and to receive lasting discomfort every time they touch the footing . They can also bite more or have hassle using bedding material box because it becomes more difficult to dig .

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The move to ban declawing is not universal . In New York , a leading veterinary tie-up react the bill , importune that declawing should be allowed for computerized tomography with unresolved and destructive scratching habits . That law only makes exception for medically necessary procedures .

If scratching is a trouble for computed axial tomography proprietor , the Humane Societyrecommendskeeping nails trimmed , setting up scratching place , and putting smooth anti - scratch tape on article of furniture . Some veterinarians may also be able to recommend a easygoing nail cap that can be glued on .

[ h / tCBS Boston ]