DENVER – A ban on declawing cats passed unanimously during a Denver City Council meeting Monday, according to 9 News in Denver.
Declawing, or onychectomy, is an amputation and should be regarded as a major surgery, according to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation.
9 News reports that during the surgery, all or most of the last bone of each of the 10 front toes is removed, and tendons, nerves and ligaments that allow for normal function of the paw are severed.
Veterinarian Aubrey Lavizzo told the NBC affiliate that it's not only painful for cats but also leads to behavioral issues that pet owners find challenging, like house soiling.
The ordinance is effective immediately.
9 News reports that in the U.S., declawing is prohibited in the following California cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Monica, Berkeley, Beverly Hills, Culver City, West Hollywood, and Burbank.