Maryland is set to become the second state in America to make it illegal to declaw cats, with lawbreakers facing fines of up to $5,000.
The Prevention of Cat Declawing bill – or HB 22 – passed the state’s House today with 112 votes in favour, and only 25 opposed.
The bill had already passed the state’s Senate, so it will now go to the governor’s desk to be signed and passed into law.
New York was the first state to ban the practice in 2019, while it is also banned in cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver and Pittsburgh.
The bill will ban veterinarians from declawing cats, unless under a specific set of circumstances – meaning removing a cat’s claws for cosmetic purposes or to make handling the cat easier will become illegal.
The practice is common in the United States where pet owners often do it to stop themselves from being scratched or to protect their furniture.
But the vets, pet owners and activists say it can cause cats severe pain and psychological disorders and can also lead to the early onset of arthritis.
Any veterinarian found to be continuing with the practice could be fined $5,000 for a first offence, and even risk losing their license, according to the Washington Post.
I only ever had one cat de-clawed and will never do again. Turns out they don’t just remove the claw- they remove back to the 1st knuckle.
I agree 100%.
The world is going to he!! under Biden and the lawmakers are worried about cat claws. We are truly a country of idiots.
wow all the problems facing this state and this is what they produce? how f’n stupid are the people of this state to put up with this bs?
God help us!