Burbank Municipal Code Art. 15 Declawing of Cats

5-1-1501: DECLAWING OF CATS PROHIBITED:

A. No person, licensed medical professional or otherwise, shall perform or cause to be performed, assist in the performance of, or procure the performance of any surgical procedure to declaw a cat, including but not limited to onychectomy, phalangectomy, and tendonectomy, within the City of Burbank, except when necessary for a therapeutic purpose as determined by a licensed medical professional. “Therapeutic purpose” means the necessity to address the medical condition of the animal, such as an existing or recurring illness, infection, disease, injury or abnormal condition in the claw that compromises the cat’s health. “Therapeutic purpose” does not include cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or reasons of convenience in keeping or handling the animal.

B. In the event that a surgical procedure to declaw a cat, including but not limited to onychectomy, phalangectomy, and tendonectomy, is performed on a cat within the City of Burbank in violation of this Section, each of the following persons shall be guilty of a violation of this section: (1) the person or persons performing the procedure, (2) all persons assisting in the physical performance of the procedure, and (3) all persons or entities that procured the procedure, including but not limited to the owner or person having custody or control over the animal or any other person or entity that ordered, requested or paid for the procedure.

C. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not more than six (6) months or by both such fine and imprisonment, as stated in Title 1, Article 1, Section 1-1-105 of the Burbank Municipal Code. [Added by Ord. No. 3773, eff.: 12/8/09.]