PRINTER'S NO. 1552
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
1178
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY COMITTA, FONTANA, CAPPELLETTI, ROBINSON, COSTA,
MASTRIANO AND MUTH, APRIL 22, 2024
REFERRED TO JUDICIARY, APRIL 22, 2024
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in cruelty to animals, further
providing for animal mutilation and related offenses.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 5542 of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a subsection to read:
ยง 5542. Animal mutilation and related offenses.
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(e.1) Declawing of cats.--The following shall apply:
(1) A person commits an offense under section 5533 if
the person performs a declawing procedure that is not deemed
necessary for a therapeutic purpose by a licensed doctor of
veterinary medicine.
(2) In addition to any other penalty provided by law, a
violation of this subsection constitutes a summary offense
punishable as follows:
(i) for a first offense, by a fine of not less than
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$50 and not more than $750;
(ii) for a second offense, by a fine of not less
than $150 and not more than $1,000; or
(iii) for a third or subsequent offense, by a fine
of not less than $500 and not more than $1,500.
(3) Nothing in this section shall preclude prosecution
under section 5533 or 5534 (relating to aggravated cruelty to
animal).
(4) As used in this subsection, the following words and
phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
paragraph unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Declawing." The term:
(i) Includes:
(A) An onychectomy, dactylectomy, partial
digital amputation, phalangectomy or any other
procedure that removes a portion of the paw or digit
of an animal in order to remove a claw.
(B) A tendonectomy or any other procedure that
cuts or modifies the tendon of the limb, paw or digit
of an animal in order to prohibit the normal function
of a claw.
(C) A procedure that prevents the normal
functioning of one or more claws.
(ii) Does not include the filing or trimming of a
nonviable claw husk or the placement of temporary nail
caps on one or more claws of an animal.
"Therapeutic purpose." A purpose necessary to address an
existing or recurring physical illness, infection, disease,
injury or abnormal condition in a claw, nail bed or toe bone
that compromises the cat's health. The term does not include
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cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or reasons of convenience in
keeping or handling the cat.
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Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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