HOUSE LAWMAKERS PASSED A BILL THURSDAY BANNING CAT DECLAWING.

DECLAWING WOULD BE OUTLAWED UNDER THE MEASURE, EXCEPT FOR CERTAIN MEDICAL REASONS. IT’S SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA HERNANDEZ OF AURORA WHO SAYS THE PROCEDURE IS CRUEL.

BUT OPPONENTS, LIKE REPRESENTATIVE CHARLES MEIER (meyer) OF OKAWVILLE SAY THERE DOESN’T NEED TO BE A BAN.

VIOLATORS FACE FINES STARTING AT 500 DOLLARS. OPPONENTS ARGUE THAT SOME OWNERS HAVE AN IMMUNE DISORDER AND A SCRATCH FROM A CAT’S CLAW COULD LEAD TO INFECTION. THE BILL WILL NEXT BE CONSIDERED BY THE ILLINOIS SENATE.