JEFFERSON CITY — A ban on declawing cats in the St. Louis region is again in the crosshairs of Missouri’s Republican-controlled General Assembly.
Sen. Justin Brown, R-Rolla, outlined legislation Tuesday that would overturn a ban on the practice that was approved in the city in 2019 and adopted by St. Louis County last year.
Brown, whose late father, Dan, was a state senator and a veterinarian, told a Senate panel that the local bans overstep the bounds of regulating animals.
Brown told members of the Senate Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee that veterinarians are highly trained and regulated by a state board of animal experts.
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The proposal, which was not voted on by the committee, represents the latest attempt by Brown to use state law to undercut ordinances approved by the Democrat-controlled city and county. The Phelps County lawmaker also is sponsoring legislation that would prohibit cities from banning pet stores from selling dogs and cats.
The latter measure comes in response to hundreds of cities and a handful of states that have moved to shutter pet stores as a way to combat inhumane conditions in puppy mills. Missouri is the largest dog-breeding state in the nation.
The 2019 anti-declawing ordinance, sponsored by Alderman Christine Ingrassia, 6th Ward, made it illegal for veterinarians in the city to conduct such operations unless medically necessary for the animal.
The ban was part of a bill that also made other changes in city rules for pets.
Once a common procedure, many veterinary professionals now advise against declawing. The American Association of Feline Practitioners “strongly opposes” the practice. The American Veterinary Medical Association discourages declawing but leaves it up to veterinarians to decide what’s best for the cat.
Declawing can lead to complications for cats, including chronic pain, infection, nerve trauma, behavioral problems and lameness, according to the feline practitioner association. Alternatives include providing more scratching posts, regularly trimming claws and temporary nail caps.
Supporters, including statewide farm groups, told the panel that cat owners should have the option to declaw their cats following consultation with their veterinarian.
“This needs to be a discussion between the veterinarian and the client about what’s best for the pet,” said Jim Crago, a semi-retired veterinarian from Jefferson City.
The procedure is illegal in several European countries. New York prohibited elective declawing of cats in 2019. Other cities with bans include Los Angeles, San Francisco and Denver.
Bob Baker, executive director of the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, said local governments are often the last line of defense in stopping inhumane practices.
“We need some oversight of these bad actors,” Baker said.
Sen. Tracy McCreery, a St. Louis County Democrat, said she supports the ability of veterinarians to advise pet owners on the benefits and risks of declawing, but opposes the attempt to overturn the local laws.
“I feel like I have to represent my folks,” McCreery said.
The legislation is Senate Bill 115.