San Francisco supervisors support cat declawing ban

San Francisco's Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday in favor of an ordinance to ban cat declawing within the city and county. Supervisors are due to have a final vote on the issue next week, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The measure had been introduced by Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who called the practice torture and a form of animal cruelty.

Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier, who voted against the measure, told the San Francisco Examiner: "I don't support the board making those types of medical decisions."

In Southern California, the Beverly Hills City Council will look at the issue at its meeting Thursday night. Los Angeles also is considering an ordinance banning cat declawing within city limits. 

Starting Jan. 1, a state law will prevent municipalities from banning such procedures.

RELATED:
L.A. Council committee favors law against declawing cats
Several California cities to look at cat declawing bans this week
Santa Monica moves closer to cat declawing ban

-- Anne Colby

Photo: Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Scott Jerrold]

So you can kill a cat that's not working out for you, but you can't declaw it.

I think neutering cats causes them more stress than the declawing.

Gotta love the SF Board of Supervisors. Considering that the city can't lock up admitted felons, one wonders how successful they will be in prosecuting cat declawers.

[Ramekin]

I understand how easy it is to characterize declawing as cruel, unnecessary mutilation. Especially if one has never had a cat, or never been seriously injured by a cat. I predict that a lot of cats that cannot be declawed will find themselves without homes. I was sent to an emergency room by a cat once, and if I ever own one again, or allow it to be around children, it will be without claws.