Revision: Dec. 2, 2019, 3:41 p.m.
HB 1387 - AS INTRODUCED
2020 SESSION
20-2084
08/10
HOUSE BILL 1387
AN ACT prohibiting the declawing of cats.
SPONSORS: Rep. Rogers, Merr. 28; Rep. Leishman, Hills. 24; Rep. Dutzy, Hills. 30; Rep. Weyler, Rock. 13; Rep. Schultz, Merr. 18; Rep. St. Clair, Belk. 9
COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture
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ANALYSIS
This bill prohibits the removal of claws from cats by persons practicing veterinary medicine.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
20-2084
08/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty
AN ACT prohibiting the declawing of cats.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Removal of Claws from Cats. Amend RSA 332-B by inserting after section 20 the following new section:
332-B:21 Removal of Claws from Cats Prohibited.
I. No person shall remove the claws of a cat by performing an onychectomy, partial or complete phalangectomy, or a tendonectomy, by any means, on a cat except when necessary in order to address the physical medical condition of the cat, such as an existing or recurring illness, infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition in the claw that compromises the cat's health. No person shall remove the claws of a cat for cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or for reasons of convenience in keeping or handling the cat.
II. Any person licensed or certified under this chapter who removes the claws of a cat in violation of paragraph I shall be punishable by a fine to be determined by the board of veterinary medicine not to exceed $500.
2 New Subparagraph; Removal of Claws from Cats. Amend RSA 332-B:14, II by inserting after subparagraph (p) the following new subparagraph:
(q) Violation of RSA 332-B:21 relative to the removal of claws from cats.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.