New York Considers Proposal To Ban Declawing Of Cats

ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York would be the first state to ban the declawing of cats under a legislative proposal that has divided veterinarians.

Several vets supportive of a ban lobbied lawmakers at the state Capitol Tuesday, as WCBS 880's Alex Silverman reported. They say the procedure, which involves cutting through bone, tendon and nerves to amputate the first segment of a cat's toes, is unnecessary and cruel.

"It's not just clipping the nail as some people believe. It's actually amputating to the first joint," said Assembly sponsor Linda Rosenthal.

Rosenthal said some cat owners are well aware of what is involved in declawing, but consider their furniture and curtains paramount.

"I think we have to respect the integrity of a cat's body and not alter them to please ourselves," she said.

However, the state's Veterinary Medical Society opposes prohibition, saying the procedure saves cats with scratching behavior from being euthanized. They say declawing is a decision best left to cat owners and veterinarians and not lawmakers.

The bill is before both the Senate and Assembly but no vote has been scheduled. Assembly sponsor Linda Rosenthal, a Manhattan Democrat, says support is growing as more cat owners learn the details of the procedure.

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