Bipartisan effort in Ohio Statehouse would ban cat declawing ...Middle East

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Declawing cats could become illegal in Ohio if a recently introduced bipartisan bill is signed into law. 

Senate Bill 252, introduced on Sept. 3, would ban declawing in the state, along with any other procedure that would alter the normal function of a cat’s toes. Declawing refers to an operation that removes a cat’s claws through the surgical amputation of the last bone of each toe, typically for the purpose of preventing the animal from scratching people or furniture. 

Although Sen. Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus) does not have a cat, he said he was inspired to introduce the bill alongside Sen. Al Cutrona (R-Canfield) after pet owners in the state brought the issue to lawmakers. 

“We're able to bring parties together where there are deep concerns, and of course with our animals,” Craig said. “We have lots of families that care deeply about their pets … and so this is an issue that we were deeply concerned about.”

The bill would allow a veterinarian to declaw a cat only if they determine it to be medically necessary, such as in cases of a recurring infection or injury. Vets who declaw a cat under these circumstances would be required to file a written statement with the state’s veterinary medical licensing board within 10 days of the surgery, including information on the purpose of the procedure and lab reports demonstrating why it was medically necessary.

The vet’s statement must also include the name, address and phone number of the cat's owner, as well as identifying information about the cat. Vets would also be required to give owners a copy of this form. 

Under the legislation, anyone who illegally declaws a cat would face fines of $1,000 on the first offense, $1,500 on the second offense and $2,500 on the third or any subsequent offense. 

The nonprofit Humane World for Animals, which has worked on nationwide legislative efforts to ban cat declawing, assisted lawmakers with drafting the proposal after they reached out for assistance, according to its Ohio director Mark Finneran. 

“Many people get their cats declawed without realizing how painful it can be for their animals,” Finneran said. “Imagine cutting off your fingers at the last knuckle.”

Finneran said declawing procedures can result in tiny bone fragments being left behind in the paw, causing long-term pain for cats. The surgery can also result in nerve damage and arthritis. 

If the bill passes, Ohio would join five other states that have banned declawing, including New York, which in 2019 became the first state to do so, along with Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Several cities across the country have also enacted bans, including Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. The procedure is also illegal in a variety of European countries and Canadian provinces. 

Although many pet owners declaw their cats in an attempt to avoid unwanted behaviors, Finneran said the procedure can actually result in more biting, aggression and soiling outside of the litter box. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals states these effects may occur because of pain or insecurity due to the animals not having their natural defense mechanism. 

“When you have conversations with people about what cat declaw it is and some of the alternatives that are out there to avoid scratching on furniture or whatever else it is, most people come around and realize that it's not the best choice for their animals,” Finneran said. 

In other states that have considered declawing bills, proponents of the procedure have claimed it allows for more cats to have homes. They argue without declawing, shelters may fill up with cats being surrendered due to scratching, potentially leading to increased euthanasia rates.

However, Finneran said there are a variety of other ways to help prevent cats from scratching furniture, including offering scratching posts as an alternative. He did note owners may have to try out different types of scratching posts to see what their cat prefers for the best results.

Owners can also apply double-sided tape to furniture, which cats generally avoid scratching, according to Finneran. He said plastic caps that go over a cat’s nails, which can be applied at home or by a vet, are another option. 

NBC4 reached out to the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association to inquire about its position on the bill; the organization said it is reviewing the legislation and will work with the sponsors once it has completed its "due diligence" on the matter.

SB 252 awaits a committee assignment and its first hearing. Sen. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) is currently the only other co-sponsor of the legislation. 

“We want to have lots of conversation and testimony from the public regarding this,” Craig said. 

The bill marks the second animal rights bill introduced by Cutrona this year. In February, he introduced a bill that would increase the penalties for animal cruelty. 

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