In 2003, West Hollywood passed an ordinance banning the declawing of cats. This week, the California Supreme Court upheld the ordinance, rejecting a challenge by the California Veterinary Medical Association that the ordinance could lead to copycat measures elsewhere, The San Francisco Chronicle reports.
The ordinance states that “the mere convenience to the pet’s guardian does not justify the unnecessary pain, anguish and permanent disability caused [to] the animal.” The ordinance makes declawing surgery performed within the West Hollywood city limits a crime.
The CVMA had challenged the West Hollywood declawing ordinance in court, claiming the ordinance was preempted by state law, and that West Hollywood has no authority to regulate the medical practices of veterinarians. West Hollywood disagreed with that position and defended the ordinance.
While a Los Angeles judge overturned the ordinance in 2003, the Second District Court of Appeal reinstated the measure in June. This week, the state Supreme Court denied review of an appeal by the CVMA.
Shortly after West Hollywood passed its ordinance, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a resolution that condemns cat declawing. In rejecting the veterinarians’ challenge, the high court “preserved the right of San Francisco to enact an ordinance like this if it chose to in the future,” said Matt Dorsey, spokesman for San Francisco city attorney Dennis Herrara.