Claws out for cats' rights

2003-04-08 22:25

Los Angeles - The liberal California city of West Hollywood has struck a blow for feline rights by becoming the first in the United States to outlaw the de-clawing of cats, city officials said on Tuesday.

"The measure passed by a unanimous 5-0 vote last night," West Hollywood Council Deputy Hernan Molina told AFP. "De-clawing your cat within the city of West Hollywood will no longer be legal.

"We hope that this will send a message to other US cities and to the state of California and that they will also soon ban this cruel practice," Molina said.

The Los Angeles-area city of 3 500 residents has a history of passing controversial and progressive new laws, including an earlier resolution declaring that people cannot own pets, but simply become their "guardians."

Some animal rights activists have branded the practice of de-clawing cats inhumane while it has been outlawed in some 13 European nations.

The process involves removing the tips of toes, according to activists, who also say that cats need their claws to defend themselves and to climb trees and other vertical surfaces when being pursued.

"It is like someone cutting off your finger tips to stop your nails from growing," Molina said.

The measure directly affects the city's three veterinary clinics and comes into force in 30 days. Molina said he hoped that locals would not turn to vets in neighbouring cities to de-claw their pets.

City Councillor John Duran, who has had several of his own cats de-clawed in the past, proposed the ban after learning that it was a surgical procedure, rather than just claw removal.

"I was abhorred at what I had done to lovely Fluffy," Duran said earlier. "It's the equivalent of removing a knuckle off of a human finger. Had I known that, I would have sought alternatives."

Pet owners often have cats' claws removed to stop them from scratching furniture or wounding people with their sharp nails.

- AFX