HF 4956

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/14/2024 02:35pm

A bill for an act
relating to animal cruelty; prohibiting elective declawing of cats; imposing civil
penalties; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 343.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [343.256] ELECTIVE DECLAWING PROHIBITED.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the terms in this subdivision
have the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Cat" means an animal of the taxonomic family Felidae.
new text end

new text begin (c) "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.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Tendonectomy" means a procedure in which the tendons to a cat's limbs, paws, or
toes are cut or modified so that the normal functioning of the claws is impaired.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Therapeutic purpose" means 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. Therapeutic purpose does not include a procedure
performed for a cosmetic or aesthetic purpose or to make the cat more convenient to keep
or handle.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Prohibited acts. new text end

new text begin Except as provided in subdivision 3, a person shall not perform
surgical claw removal, declawing, or a tendonectomy on any cat or otherwise alter a cat's
toes, claws, or paws in a manner that prevents or impairs the normal function of the cat's
toes, claws, or paws.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Therapeutic purpose. new text end

new text begin The prohibition in subdivision 2 does not apply to a
procedure performed solely for a therapeutic purpose.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Civil penalties. new text end

new text begin A person who violates this section is subject to a civil penalty
of $500 for the first violation, $1,000 for the second violation, and $2,500 for the third and
any subsequent violation. Civil penalties may be recovered by a civil action brought by the
county attorney or the attorney general in the name of the state.
new text end