Purpose

This bill would prohibit elective declawing of cats and create civil penalties for violations. It adds a new provision to Minnesota law (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 343, section 343.256) to ban procedures that remove claws or impair a cat’s ability to use its toes, unless the procedure is performed for a legitimate therapeutic medical reason.

Key definitions

• Cat: an animal in the Felidae family.
• Declawing: a surgical procedure such as onychectomy that amputates or modifies part of a cat’s paw to remove claws. Trimming nonviable claw husk or placing nonpermanent nail caps is not considered declawing.
• Tendonectomy: a procedure where tendons to a cat’s limbs/ paws/ toes are cut or modified so normal claw function is impaired.
• Therapeutic purpose: a medically necessary procedure to address an existing or recurring infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition in the claws, nail bed, or toe bone that jeopardizes the cat’s health. This does not include cosmetic or aesthetic purposes.

Main provisions

• Prohibition: It is unlawful to perform surgical claw removal, declawing, or a tendonectomy on any cat, or to alter a cat’s toes, claws, or paws in a way that prevents or impairs normal function.
• Therapeutic exemption: The prohibition does not apply to procedures performed solely for a therapeutic purpose.
• Definitions alignment: The bill clarifies what counts as declawing and what does not (e.g., cosmetic trimming or nail caps are excluded).

Penalties and enforcement

• Civil penalties: $500 for the first violation, $1,000 for the second, and $2,500 for the third and any subsequent violations.
• Enforcement: Civil penalties may be recovered through a civil action filed by the county attorney or the attorney general in the name of the state.

Significance / expected impact

• This creates a clear statewide ban on elective declawing and related procedures (like tendonectomy) for cats, with specified civil penalties for violations.
• It directs enforcement through state and local attorneys general offices, rather than criminal penalties.
• Veterinarians, pet owners, and animal welfare advocates may be affected, increasing emphasis on non-surgical alternatives to manage claw-related issues and scratching behavior.

Relevant Terms - elective declawing - declawing - onychectomy - surgical claw removal - tendonectomy - cat (Felidae) - therapeutic purpose - medically necessary - cosmetic or aesthetic - nonviable claw husk - nonpermanent nail caps - toes, claws, paws - civil penalties - county attorney - attorney general - Minnesota Statutes Chapter 343 - section 343.256