New York may become the first state to ban the declawing of cats under a legislative proposal that has divided veterinarians.<br />Several vets were at the state Capitol Tuesday to lobby for the ban.<br />They say the declawing procedure is unnecessary and cruel.<br />Australia, Britain and several European countries already ban the practice.<br />The state’s Veterinary Medical Society opposes the legislation, saying the procedure can often save cats with destructive scratching behavior from being euthanized.<br />Supporters say destructive clawing can typically be dealt with through nail clipping, nail caps or scratching posts.<br />The bill is before both the Senate and Assembly, but no vote has been scheduled.
