L.A. ponders whether declawing hurts felines

Petunia rests in a chair in Nancy Bonus' home in Van Nuys. Petunia used to shred the chair before the cat was declawed.

[MadMax]

Why is our way overpaid city council members wasting time on this as well as deciding whether to sell an old surplus horse for $1? Don't they have more pressing issues like trying to fix the lousy economy here?

[Norman Moore]

Paul Koretz is a West Hollywood nincompoop, however I could care less about how he treats his cat. I do agree that declawing can possibly be harmful so I elected to not have my cat declawed. I also had to give up any and all upholstered furniture and be tolerant of the occasional loss pf paper towels and toilet tissue. My cat, Mr. Scratchy refused to consider scratching posts and the various sprays and training methods I tried were a wash. I never considered covers but with his demonstrated skills at removing flea collars and one of those protective cones when he had a "hot spot" on his face I hold no hope for the paste on covers.

I had to find a home for him when I moved out of town so I have no idea about his new owner but I did give full disclosure before surrendering him. However not many people would have gone through what I did and many more cats could end up homeless. I think that this is best left up to the individuals, their conscience and their veterinarians. In any event it is not the business of the LA City Council and yes they should get down tho their real job of running the city which is in dire straits.

[Anamouse]

I have seen to many very spoiled declawed cats to believe that the result of declawing is a life of pain and suffering.

And I also know too many people that did declaw their spoiled little brats as a last resort and if they did not have that option would have sent the to the pound.

If you stop declawing you just condem more cats to the pound because no one wants to keep a distructive cat and you can't force them to keep it.

Your unintended consequences will do more harm than good for the cats you profess to care about.

[Peter Johnson]

Oh the poor kittys.

The Council reminds citizens that if LA voters weren't the stupidest, most self destructive morons in American this City Council Mob wouldn't be in charge of driving the City off a cliff.

Electing this Council defines us as complete Fools. They are correct.

[Taxpayer_Voter]

MadMax wrote:

Why is our way overpaid city council members wasting time on this as well as deciding whether to sell an old surplus horse for $1? Don't they have more pressing issues like trying to fix the lousy economy here?

They have no clue about anything! Least of all how to create jobs that aren't gov't jobs. You give them too much credit.

[Melissa]

Declawing is cruel, inhumane and unnecessary. There are many options, i.e. soft paws, clipping and the easiest of all, training them to use a scratchy tree. Everyone knows that a declawed cat is more likely to end up in the shelter. They stop using their litter box and start biting. I know because I got two previously declawed cats dumped on me. One didn't use the box, other was frightened of all other cats.

[Sandy]

Nancy Bonus psychologist is for animal cruelty. What a horrible person. Should she be a psychologist if she is suggesting such cruel acts be committed upon a living being? I don't think so. Someone should send in a report against her license.

There is no Dr. Martin Mackie in California. Why would they consult a vet outside of the City and State? Is this "vet" even real? What vet would suggest lopping off the toes of a cat. Something is wrong with this story.

[Mary]

There is no licensed psychologist in the state of California by the name of Nancy Bonus. There is no licensed veterinarian by the name of Martin Mackie in California. Who are these people who are pretending to be experts? I can only assume that they couldn't find a real psychologist or veterinarian who would support declawing.

[Mary]

I just reported this woman to the California Psychology board. She is not a licensed psychologist or a doctor, just some person who loves the spotlight who sells dieting advice. Report this woman.

[kma]

Melissa wrote:

Declawing is cruel, inhumane and unnecessary. There are many options, i.e. soft paws, clipping and the easiest of all, training them to use a scratchy tree. Everyone knows that a declawed cat is more likely to end up in the shelter. They stop using their litter box and start biting. I know because I got two previously declawed cats dumped on me. One didn't use the box, other was frightened of all other cats.

And just how many declawed cats have you had. What a load of crap. I don't declaw cats anymore because of the possible medical consequences but to say that a declawed cat will stop using the litter box, etc is just plain bullhseet. The last cat I declawed did not ahve any issues defending himself from other cats, or dogs. He could also climb 12 feet up a tree without them. So Bull, lady. You need a glass belly button.

[johnI]

I rescued a cat off the street who had been declawed and then left on the street to fend for herself. Of course she was emaciated from not being able to catch food for herself. Because of her fear and vulnerability, she bit me many times, drawing blood. I accepted the fact that this cat would not be any fun, but I was not going to abandon her. It was my love and patience with her that has caused her to stop biting and have a degree of trust, but she will never be normal or be able to be around other cats. Declawing is a cruel mutilation.

[kma]

BTW, declawing is no more of a radical surgery than neutering. And the city requires that! And most plastic surgery done on people is just as radical. Should the city ban that too.

Plain and simple, this is NOT a function of city government and the city should stay the hell out.

[kma]

johnI wrote:

I rescued a cat off the street who had been declawed and then left on the street to fend for herself. Of course she was emaciated from not being able to catch food for herself. Because of her fear and vulnerability, she bit me many times, drawing blood. I accepted the fact that this cat would not be any fun, but I was not going to abandon her. It was my love and patience with her that has caused her to stop biting and have a degree of trust, but she will never be normal or be able to be around other cats. Declawing is a cruel mutilation.

Was your cat afraid and vulnerable because she was declawed, or because she was left on the street after being raised in a home. Get real man. Any animal who has been raised in a home, even supposedly wild animals, become fearfull and vulnerable when they are dumped on the street. Declawing has nothing to do with it. Another cat would have no idea that yours was declawed unless they got in a fight. And then the agressor would be the agressor anyway, claws or not.

BTW, clipping a dogs ears is cruel mutilation. Or stubbing his tail. Should the city ban them too?

[West Valley Dave Smith]

Does declawing hurt? The Spring Street Gang of 15 should have their own fingernails pulled out and they will find out.

There are too many more important issues to deal with and they are just wasting their time and your tax dollars.

[John]

I'll tell you what hurts. Liberals thats what. They think that they can force their weak, limp personal ways and thinking on everyone. They think their way is the only way. Personally ask one for a handout or to pay Taxes and watch how they become vicious and mean. Declawing is good for Cats so mind your own Damn Liberal Business. This is a Democracy not a Dictatorship.

[Mullins]

I wish Every State would ban any kind of mutilation done to any animal!!! The stubbing of tails,clipping of ears, declawing or whatever - It all should be banned and aginst the law!!! I love animals and they should be left the way that God made them!!!

[God erred]

Thank goodness we can declaw now. God clearly messed up here. I see cats with claws and wonder how God could have been so stupid. His own creature abandon because of those claws ruining furniture. Fortunately though declawing is here to correct his error.

[jane]

declawing your cat is up to the cat owner. If you want your cat declawed get it done. Iam a cat owner and she is not declawed and wont be. Iam not against it either.No one she tell you if you can have it done or not.My cat is 11 yrs old and healthy and happy the way she is.So all you cat owners do what you want do not let no one tell you what to do.Tell the dam city of LA to stick it where the sun dont shine.

[jane]

john thats telling them. The dam liberals are always sticking their dam big nose where it doesnt belong.Igot a better idea why dont they make it a law that all liberals go to the vet and get their you know what cut off and sew up and that would end welfare. snip snip snip and chop chop chop.Liberals mind your own dam big nose busines.Cat owners can do what they want. dont like it to dam bad.

[reality check]

Mullins wrote:

I wish Every State would ban any kind of mutilation done to any animal!!! The stubbing of tails,clipping of ears, declawing or whatever - It all should be banned and aginst the law!!! I love animals and they should be left the way that God made them!!!

So, you then also don't believe in spaying or neutering?