Maryland has become the second US state to ban the declawing of cats after a bill was signed into law.
The bill banning declawing cats was signed into law this week by Maryland Governor, Larry Hogan.
The bill makes Maryland the second US state to ban declawing cats as it follows the lead of New York which passed a similar legislation back in 2019.
Bill HB0022 prohbits “a veterinary practitioner from performing certain declawing procedures on a cat unless the procedure is necessary for a therapeutic purpose,” Maryland General Assembly states.
Veterinarians who violate the law could face disciplinary actions from the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners as well as a $1,000 fine.
According to the HuffPost, the declawing of a cat involves surgery which can cause pain and be a risk to infections.
The outlet reports that the surgery involves amputating the last bone of each of the cats toes.
It is reportedly similar to amputating the first knuckle on a humans hand.
It is news that has been widely praised by many including those at Paw Project, a nonprofit organization aiming to educate people on why declawing is inhumane.
A post on the Paw Project website about the news saw Jennifer Conrad, the director of the Paw Project, state: “Maryland can now consider itself one of the most humane states in the Union.”
The post also quoted Senator Cheryl Kagan saying: “Our beloved kitties, who cannot advocate for themselves, need us to protect them. I am so proud that Maryland will become just the second state to ban the cruel practice of declawing our cats.”
The new law will come into effect in October.
What do you think about it?