HB1533 EngrossedLRB103 06016 RJT 51042 b


  
1    AN ACT concerning animals.
  
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
3represented in the General Assembly:
  


 
 
4    Section 5. The Humane Care for Animals Act is amended by 
5adding Section 3.10 as follows:
 
6    (510 ILCS 70/3.10 new)
7    Sec. 3.10. Cat declawing.
8    (a) As used in this Section:
9    "Declawing" means an onychectomy or any other surgical 
10procedure to amputate or modify a portion of a cat's paw in 
11order to remove the cat's claws. This term does not include the 
12trimming of nonviable claw husk or placing nonpermanent nail 
13caps. 
14    "Tendonectomy" means a procedure in which the tendons to a 
15cat's limbs, paws, or toes are cut or modified so that the 
16normal functioning of the claws is impaired.
17    "Therapeutic purpose" means a medically necessary 
18procedure to address an existing or recurring infection, 
19disease, injury, or abnormal condition in the claws, nail bed, 
20or toe bone, which jeopardizes the cat's health. "Therapeutic 
21purpose" does not include a procedure performed for a cosmetic 
22or aesthetic purpose or to make the cat more convenient to keep 
23or handle.
 
 
HB1533 Engrossed- 2 -LRB103 06016 RJT 51042 b

1    (b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c), a 
2person  shall not perform surgical claw removal, declawing, or 
3a tendonectomy on any cat or otherwise alter a cat's toes, 
4claws, or paws to prevent or impair the normal function of the 
5cat's toes, claws, or paws.
6    (c) Surgical claw removal, declawing, or a tendonectomy on 
7any cat or otherwise altering a cat's toes, claws, or paws to 
8prevent or impair the normal function of the cat's toes, 
9claws, or paws may only be performed by a veterinarian 
10licensed under the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice 
11Act of 2004 for therapeutic purposes for the cat. 
12    (d) The Department of Agriculture shall impose upon a 
13person who violates this Section a civil penalty of $500 for a 
14first violation, $1,000 for a second violation, and $2,500 for 
15a third or subsequent violation.


 
16    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect 90 days 
17after  becoming law.