Should NH make declawing cats an animal cruelty offense?

Last week, a legislative committee in New Jersey recommended passage of a bill that would ban the practice of declawing cats, making it an animal cruelty offense.

Sanctions under the bill would fall on veterinarians who execute the procedure or cat owners who request it, resulting in a fine of up to $1,000 or a six month jail sentence.

The bill will still need the approval of the Assembly and the New Jersey Senate before becoming law. However, if passed, it would make New Jersey the first state to ban declawing. A similar move is underway in New York.

The practice is commonly prohibited in many other countries, including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Israel.

Supporters argue that declawing is a painful, invasive procedure akin to amputation, as it involves removing bone from the cat’s paw, and can lead to permanent nerve damage or lameness. They contend that a ban would push pet owners to find more humane ways of preventing cats from scratching.

Opponents counter that the bill could result in a rise in an increased number of cats being returned to shelters and ultimately put down, when owners are forced to choose between continued destruction of furniture and other property and their pet. Others argue that the decision to declaw or not should remain between a pet owner and their veterinarian.

UPDATE: Read our Citizen Voices℠ report and find out where New Hampshire stands on this issue.