Ontario is moving forward with plans to ban the practice of declawing cats and debarking and ear cropping dogs, an initiative animal welfare advocates say is overdue but falls short of their expectations.
The province is seeking input on the potential ban via its regulatory registry until early February, after originally introducing it as part of a comprehensive bill on anti-crime measures last autumn. The proposal aims to empower the province’s animal welfare inspectors to prohibit unnecessary surgeries that alter an animal’s appearance or behavior, citing potential pain, health issues, and behavioral challenges.
Declawing a cat involves surgically removing all or part of its toe bones and claws. Ear cropping in dogs entails cutting and reshaping part of the ear to make it stand upright, while debarking involves removing vocal folds or cords to soften a dog’s bark. Despite longstanding pressure from animal welfare groups to ban these practices, Ontario indicates that licensed veterinarians can still perform the surgeries if deemed essential for the animal’s safety, health, or well-being.
According to a government spokesperson for Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, the province is engaging with stakeholders and the sector to gather feedback on the proposed changes. The College of Veterinarians of Ontario, which oversees the profession, has opposed non-essential surgeries for animals since 2016, emphasizing the importance of educating clients to influence their decisions regarding such procedures.
Dr. Linda Jacobson of the Toronto Humane Society expressed support for the proposed regulations, noting that they would provide clarity to veterinarians faced with challenging situations when clients request these surgeries. Jacobson suggested extending the ban to encompass all cosmetic procedures involving animals, including tail cropping in dogs and cosmetic surgeries in horses, questioning the ethical justification for such practices.
Animal Justice executive director Camille Labchuk commended the anticipated ban, highlighting that Ontario is the sole Canadian jurisdiction where these procedures remain legal. Labchuk called for the inclusion of tail docking in the ban, emphasizing the significance of preventing unnecessary cosmetic alterations on animals.
NDP attorney general critic Kristyn Wong-Tam criticized the government for delays in outlawing these procedures, pointing out that the NDP had proposed a ban on declawing cats through a private members’ bill six years ago, which never came to fruition.
The timeline for implementing the potential ban remains uncertain, pending feedback on the proposal until Feb. 5 through the government’s regulatory registry.