Democrat Lawmaker Wants To Outlaw Cat Declawing

A Democrat lawmaker in Illinois wants to outlaw cat declawing.

Democrat Illinois state representatives have introduced a bill that would make anyone who declaws a cat subject to a fine.

The fine would be  $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for the second offense.

Hernandez said the reason behind the bill is because if declawing cats make them “defenseless.”

Legislation outlawing cat declawing up for final passage in Illinois House | Just The News https://t.co/4AuP0Ja61S

— Just the News (@JustTheNews) March 15, 2023

Here’s what Just the News reported:

A proposal in Springfield would make it illegal to declaw cats.

The procedure is usually performed by owners who want to protect their furniture or avoid being scratched themselves.

House Bill 1533 is sponsored by State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, and would make it a finable offense to surgically remove a cat’s claws and ban any other surgical process that would alter a cat’s paws. The measure is up for final passage in the Illinois House before it could be sent to the Senate.

“It’s really hurtful and it can damage the behavior of the animal as well,” Hernandez said during a recent House Agriculture Committee hearing. “If it’s a cat that is roaming around the streets, it is now defenseless.”

Anyone caught declawing a cat would be subject to an Illinois Department of Agriculture fine of $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for a second violation.

Headlines like these make it seem like the majority of vets in Illinois oppose HB1533—the declaw ban.

Not true.

The decision for the ISVMA to oppose the bill was a top-down decision and not reflective of all ISVMA members. #illinois #cats #vetmed #vettwitter #hb1533 pic.twitter.com/I5Uh3P2flL

— Our Honor (@OurHonorVets) March 13, 2023

Per WREX:

House Bill 1533 also known as the Animals Ban Declawing Cats could have a major impact on cat owners.

If the bill is passed it will prevent the surgical claw removal process in Illinois this includes any other surgical process that would alter a cat’s toes, or paws from functioning normally.

If the proposed bill was violated there is a $500 penalty for first-time offenders, a $1K penalty for second-time offenders, and a $2,500 penalty for third time offenders.

The Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association (ISVMA) is standing against the proposed legislation because they believe it puts the pet and pet owners at risk of harm.