Declaw your cat in Israel and spend a year in prison

[ky04y0u]

Declaw Your Cat in
Israel, Spend a Year
in Prison





(NEWSER) – Israel, land of
shredded couch corners? Maybe.
At the end of November, the
country passed a bill that bans
the declawing of cats—with
some seriously stiff penalties.
Those convicted of the crime
will face up to a year in prison
and a $20,000 fine, reports
Discover. If the idea of banning
the practice shocks you, you're
probably American: About 25%
of cats here are believed to be
declawed, but doing so is illegal
in Europe, Australia, Brazil, and
beyond (and, Discover notes, in
a few California cities.)
The procedure is actually called
an "onychectomy," and Discover
points out that it involves more
than just removing the nail.
Generally the entire toe joint,
including the bone found there,
is amputated, the equivalent of
having your fingertips chopped
off around the third knuckle.
Because cats rely on this part
of their paw while walking,
Israel believes the move will
safeguard cats' ability to walk
normally and defend themselves,
and will prevent the medical
complications that affect as
many as 20% of cats after
declawing.