As Introduced

136th General Assembly

Regular Session S. B. No. 252

2025-2026

To enact section 959.22 of the Revised Code to prohibit a person from declawing a cat.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section 1. That section 959.22 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 959.22. (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Licensed veterinarian" has the same meaning as in section 4741.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Onychectomy" means a procedure in which a portion of the paw of a cat is amputated or the claw of a cat is disabled, including a procedure that is commonly referred to as declawing.

(3) "Partial digital amputation" means a procedure for the excision of some or all of one or more of the phalanges of the paw of a cat.

(4) "Phalangectomy" means a procedure for the excision of one or more of the phalanges of the paw of a cat.

(5) "Tendonectomy" means a procedure in which the tendons to the limbs, paws, or toes of a cat are cut or modified so that the cat's claws cannot function normally.

(6) "Therapeutic purpose" means a purpose necessary to address a physical medical condition of a cat, such as an existing or recurring physical illness, infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition in a claw that compromises the cat's health. "Therapeutic purpose" does not mean cosmetic or aesthetic purposes or purposes of convenience in the keeping, harboring, or handling of a cat.

(B)(1) No person, by any means, shall knowingly perform an onychectomy, a partial digit amputation, a phalangectomy, a tendonectomy, or any other procedure to alter a cat's toes, claws, or paws to prevent the normal functioning of the cat's toes, claws, or paws.

(2) Division (B)(1) does not apply to either of the following:

(a) A procedure that is determined to be necessary for a therapeutic purpose by a licensed veterinarian;

(b) A procedure that solely involves the trimming of a nonviable claw husk or placing a nonpermanent nail cap on a cat.

(C) If a licensed veterinarian determines that a procedure is necessary for a therapeutic purpose under division (B)(2)(a) of this section, the licensed veterinarian, within ten business days after performing the procedure, shall file a written statement with the state veterinary medical licensing board that includes all of the following:

(1) The purpose of the procedure, including a laboratory pathology report confirming the pathology;

(2) Identifying information of the cat, including its microchip number, if applicable, age, gender, markings, and a photo of the cat's face;

(3) Identifying information of the cat's owner or keeper, including the owner's current address and telephone number.

The licensed veterinarian shall provide a copy of the written statement to the owner or keeper of the cat.

(D) The director of agriculture shall impose a civil penalty against a person who violates division (B)(1) of this section in an amount as follows:

(1) One thousand dollars on a first offense;

(2) One thousand five hundred dollars on a second offense;

(3) Two thousand five hundred dollars on a third and any subsequent offense.

The director shall afford the person an opportunity for an adjudication hearing under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to challenge the director's determination that the person committed such violation.