Bill > HB508

This bill amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to further provide for the offense of animal mutilation and related offenses. Specifically, it prohibits the declawing of cats, also known as onychectomy, partial digital amputation, phalangectomy, or tendonectomy, unless deemed necessary for a therapeutic purpose by a licensed veterinarian. The bill requires veterinarians to file a written statement with the animal control agency and provide a copy to the cat's owner or keeper if they perform such a procedure for a therapeutic purpose. The bill defines key terms such as "onychectomy" and "therapeutic purpose" to provide clarity on the scope of the law.