2023 -- H 6508

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LC003190

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

     Introduced By: Representatives O'Brien, Slater, Dawson, Kazarian, Craven, Caldwell,
and Lima

     Date Introduced: June 08, 2023

     Referred To: House Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 4-1 of the General Laws entitled "Cruelty to Animals" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     4-1-44. Declawing cats prohibited.

     (a) For purposes of this section:

     (1) "Declawing" means an onychectomy or any other surgical procedure to amputate or

modify a portion of a cat's paw in order to remove the cat's claws. "Declawing" does not include

the trimming of nonviable claw husk or placing nonpermanent nail caps.

     (2) "Tendonectomy" means a procedure in which the tendons to a cat's limbs, paws, or toes

are cut or modified in order that the normal functioning of the claws is impaired.

     (3) "Therapeutic purpose" means a medically necessary procedure to address an existing

or recurring illness, infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition in the claws, nail bed, or toe

bone, that compromises the cat's health. "Therapeutic purpose" shall not include a procedure

performed for a cosmetic or aesthetic purpose or to make the cat more convenient to keep or handle.

     (b) It is unlawful for any person to perform surgical claw removal, declawing, or a

tendonectomy on any cat or otherwise alter a cat's toes, claws, or paws to prevent or impair the

normal function of the cat's toes, claws, or paws.

     (c) This section does not apply to a procedure performed solely for a therapeutic purpose.

     (d) Any person found guilty of violating this section shall be fined not more than one

thousand dollars ($1,000).

     (e) The prosecution of violations of this section shall be in accordance with § 4-1-20.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

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     This act would prohibit the declawing of cats by any surgical procedure to amputate or

modify a portion of a cat's paw in order to remove the cat's claws. This section would not apply to

any procedure performed for a therapeutic purpose.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC003190

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