Beverly Hills, LA councils ban declawing of cats

[November 18, 2009]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Two Southern California cities have voted to ban the declawing of cats, joining San Francisco and Santa Monica which recently outlawed the practice.

The Beverly Hills City Council voted 5-0 Tuesday night to approve a declawing ban, except in cases of medical necessity.

The Los Angeles City Council also gave final approval to a similar ordinance Tuesday.

Officials in both cities say they wanted to pass the ordinance so it can take effect before New Year's Day 2010, when a state law bars cities and counties from regulating the practice of veterinary medicine.

The California Veterinary Medical Association opposed the declawing ban, saying pet owners should be responsible for declawing decisions in consultation with their vets.

The city of West Hollywood outlawed declawing in 2003.

[Associated Press]

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