Cat declawing outlawed in Santa Monica

Santa Monica, Calif., has axed a controversial veterinary procedure.

On Tuesday, the Santa Monica city council banned cat declawing.

Here's an article from the Santa Monica Daily Press by Melody Hanatani.

The ordinance, which will take effect 30 days after a second and final reading next month, will prohibit onychectomy — also known as declawing — and flexor tendonectomy from being performed on cats, a surgery that is likened to cutting off the last joint of all 10 human fingers.

Proponents of the ban have argued that declawing is not only physically painful, but leaves cats more vulnerable to abandonment and relinquishment because of the behavioral changes that take place following the procedure, including urinating and defecating outside of litter boxes and biting because clawing is no longer a viable defense mechanism.

Those who opposed the ban said eliminating the option for pet owners would mean more cats abandoned or euthanized.

Only one councilman — out of seven — voted against the ordinance. Councilman Richard Bloom said the ban would lead to "a far worse outcome for the cat," and he proposed an amendment.

His proposed amendment to the ordinance that declawing be allowed only to prevent abandonment, relinquishment and euthanization after veterinarians counsel pet owners on alternatives was shot down. Another amendment that prohibits licensed medical professionals to package declawing with other surgeries was also denied. Councilman Bobby Shriver, who did vote for the ban, supported the amendments.

The article said that the ban comes shortly before a new state law taking effect Jan. 1 restricting cities from banning declawing. West Hollywood is the only other California city with such a law.