LEGISLATION PASSED BY A HOUSE COMMITTEE TUESDAY MAKES IT ILLEGAL TO GET YOUR CAT DECLAWED. 

UNLESS A VETERINARIAN DEEMS DECLAWING IS NECESSARY FOR THE CAT’S HEALTH, THE PRACTICE WOULD BE BANNED UNDER THE BILL. VIOLATORS FACE FINES OF AT LEAST 500 DOLLARS. IT’S SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA HERNANDEZ OF AURORA.

BUT DOCTOR DENA NELSON OF SPRINGFIELD, REPRESENTING THE ILLINOIS STATE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION SAYS THE BILL IS UNNECESSARY.

THE LEGISLATION DOES ALLOW DECLAWING IF MEDICALLY NEEDED, BUT DOCTOR NELSON SAYS THE WAY IT’S WRITTEN IS TOO LIMITING.