Senate committee advances bill to ban cat declawing amid split testimony

A Senate committee released SB1406, a measure that would prohibit the surgical declawing (an amputation of the toe joint) of cats except where a veterinarian documents a medical necessity.

Brian Hackett of Associated Humane Societies, testifying in favor, told the committee declawing is inhumane and contributes to shelter intakes and euthanasia. He said many veterinary groups oppose declawing and that jurisdictions that banned the practice did not see increases in surrenders.

Veterinarian Karen Froberg Fayko (24 years in practice) opposed the bill’s reporting and penalty provisions, arguing the veterinarian–client relationship should guide individualized decisions and that rare medical circumstances make declawing medically necessary. She described cases where declawing permitted a pet to remain in the home for an immunocompromised owner.

Other witnesses including David Grant (Humane World for Animals) and Kathleen Schatzman (Animal Legal Defense Fund) detailed animal welfare and post-operative complication concerns. Senators pressed for data: one asked how many cats are declawed annually in the state; witnesses and panelists answered that there are no mandatory reporting requirements and that statewide numbers are not available. A senator said the bill had previously been voted out of committee but that some members had opposed it earlier; the committee’s clerk recorded roll-call votes and the bill was released as amended.

The committee limited individual testimony to brief statements to keep the hearing on schedule and encouraged the sponsor and interested parties to meet about possible amendments before a floor vote.