Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoes declaw, devocalization bill in California

Sacramento, Calif. – Legislation forbidding landlords to ask tenants to declaw or devocalize their pets met with a veto by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last week.

In a message accompanying the veto, Gov. Schwarzenegger wrote that he supported the goal of the bill, which was to "preclude landlords from making inappropriate medical decisions as a condition of occupancy." The governor joined with the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) in condemning "findings and declarations" in the bill that he said are "unsupported by science."

The CVMA opposed AB 2743, questioning the assertion that declawing and devocalizing lead to public health and safety concerns.

The bill also included language arguing against "non-therapeutic" reasons for veterinary procedures performed for "cosmetic or aesthetic reasons, or reasons of perceived need of convenience in keeping or handling the animal." The CVMA stated that declawing and devocalization procedures should be a decision made by pet owners and veterinarians, not the state.

A number of California cities have outlawed declawing.

For the complete text of vetoed AB 2743, click here.