HB 1533

Abstract

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that a person shall not perform surgical claw removal, declawing, or a tendonectomy on any cat or otherwise alter a cat's toes, claws, or paws to prevent or impair the normal function of the cat's toes, claws, or paws, except for a therapeutic purpose. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall subject a person who violates the provisions to a civil penalty of $500 for a first violation, $1,000 for a second violation, and $2,500 for a third or subsequent violation. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 510 ILCS 5/3.10 new Adds reference to: 510 ILCS 70/3.10 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill. Deletes that these provisions do not apply to a person who performs a procedure solely for a therapeutic purpose. Provides that surgical claw removal, declawing, or a tendonectomy on any cat or otherwise altering a cat's toes, claws, or paws to prevent or impair the normal function of the cat's toes, claws, or paws may only be performed by a veterinarian licensed under the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004 for therapeutic purposes for the cat. Effective 90 days after becoming law.