HB1533 EngrossedLRB103 06016 RJT 51042 b HB1533 Engrossed LRB103 06016 RJT 51042 b HB1533 Engrossed LRB103 06016 RJT 51042 b 1 AN ACT concerning animals. 2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 3 represented in the General Assembly: 4 Section 5. The Humane Care for Animals Act is amended by 5 adding 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 10 procedure to amputate or modify a portion of a cat's paw in 11 order to remove the cat's claws. This term does not include the 12 trimming of nonviable claw husk or placing nonpermanent nail 13 caps. 14 "Tendonectomy" means a procedure in which the tendons to a 15 cat's limbs, paws, or toes are cut or modified so that the 16 normal functioning of the claws is impaired. 17 "Therapeutic purpose" means a medically necessary 18 procedure to address an existing or recurring infection, 19 disease, injury, or abnormal condition in the claws, nail bed, 20 or toe bone, which jeopardizes the cat's health. "Therapeutic 21 purpose" does not include a procedure performed for a cosmetic 22 or aesthetic purpose or to make the cat more convenient to keep 23 or handle. HB1533 Engrossed LRB103 06016 RJT 51042 b HB1533 Engrossed- 2 -LRB103 06016 RJT 51042 b HB1533 Engrossed - 2 - LRB103 06016 RJT 51042 b HB1533 Engrossed - 2 - LRB103 06016 RJT 51042 b 1 (b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c), a 2 person shall not perform surgical claw removal, declawing, or 3 a tendonectomy on any cat or otherwise alter a cat's toes, 4 claws, or paws to prevent or impair the normal function of the 5 cat's toes, claws, or paws. 6 (c) Surgical claw removal, declawing, or a tendonectomy on 7 any cat or otherwise altering a cat's toes, claws, or paws to 8 prevent or impair the normal function of the cat's toes, 9 claws, or paws may only be performed by a veterinarian 10 licensed under the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice 11 Act of 2004 for therapeutic purposes for the cat. 12 (d) The Department of Agriculture shall impose upon a 13 person who violates this Section a civil penalty of $500 for a 14 first violation, $1,000 for a second violation, and $2,500 for 15 a third or subsequent violation. HB1533 Engrossed - 2 - LRB103 06016 RJT 51042 b