Section 597.6 Of Title 14. Malicious Mischief 594-625c From California Penal Code >> Title 14. >> Part 1.
597.6
. (a) (1) No person may perform, or otherwise procure or
arrange for the performance of, surgical claw removal, declawing,
onychectomy, or tendonectomy on any cat that is a member of an exotic
or native wild cat species, and shall not otherwise alter such a cat'
s toes, claws, or paws to prevent the normal function of the cat's
toes, claws, or paws.
(2) This subdivision does not apply to a procedure performed
solely for a therapeutic purpose.
(b) Any person who violates this section is guilty of a
misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for a period
not to exceed one year, by a fine of ten thousand dollars ($10,000),
or by both that imprisonment and fine.
(c) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the
following meanings:
(1) "Declawing" and "onychectomy" mean any surgical procedure in
which a portion of the animal's paw is amputated in order to remove
the animal's claws.
(2) "Tendonectomy" means a procedure in which the tendons to an
animal's limbs, paws, or toes are cut or modified so that the claws
cannot be extended.
(3) "Exotic or native wild cat species" include all members of the
taxonomic family Felidae, except domestic cats (Felis catus or Felis
domesticus) or hybrids of wild and domestic cats that are greater
than three generations removed from an exotic or native cat. "Exotic
or native wild cat species" include, but are not limited to, lions,
tigers, cougars, leopards, lynxes, bobcats, caracals, ocelots,
margays, servals, cheetahs, snow leopards, clouded leopards, jungle
cats, leopard cats, and jaguars, or any hybrid thereof.
(4) "Therapeutic purpose" means for the purpose of addressing an
existing or recurring infection, disease, injury, or abnormal
condition in the claw that jeopardizes the cat's health, where
addressing the infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition is a
medical necessity.