COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill that would make it illegal to declaw cats, joining a growing list of states and cities that are banning the practice.

State Sens. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, and Hearcel Craig, D-Columbus, introduced Senate Bill 252, which would prohibit declawing procedures except when medically necessary for a cat’s health. Violators could face fines of thousands of dollars, according to News 5 Cleveland.

Cutrona, who recently adopted a cat named Archie, said his new pet inspired him to push for the legislation. He described declawing as harmful and unnecessary, arguing that furniture damage does not justify putting animals at risk.

Veterinarians say declawing, which involves amputating part of a cat’s toes, can sometimes lead to chronic pa

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