Court strikes down West Hollywood declaw ban

LOS ANGELES - 12/01/05 - Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Bascue declared yesterday a West Hollywood declaw ban to be unlawful, invalid and unenforceable.

The California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) challenged the municipality in court after West Hollywood City Council adopted an ordinance deeming cat declawing a criminal act in 2003. While the controversial procedure has incited emotional debate on both sides of the issue, the practice of veterinary medicine is highly regulated in California. Local ordinances cannot supersede state law, which deems declawing a lawful procedure when practiced within the scope of veterinary medicine, CVMA officials say.

"Judge Bascue's ruling today sends a clear message to West Hollywood and all other California cities that local municipalities cannot pass ordinances that ignore the authority of California's state licensing and regulatory oversight boards," CVMA President Dr. Eric Weigand says in a prepared statement.

West Hollywood officials could not be reached for comment by presstime. It is unknown whether the city will appeal.