The proposed bill amends existing Arizona veterinary law by introducing specific definitions and regulations regarding the procedures of declawing (onychectomy) and tendonectomy in cats. It defines "declawing" and "tendonectomy," stipulating that these procedures can only be performed by licensed veterinarians for therapeutic purposes, which are defined as addressing health issues rather than cosmetic reasons. Additionally, veterinarians are required to maintain detailed records of these procedures for a minimum of four years, including the owner's information, a description of the cat, the procedure date, the reason for the procedure, and any supporting diagnostic opinions.

Furthermore, the bill establishes penalties for veterinarians who violate the new regulations. A first violation incurs a civil penalty of $1,000, a second violation results in a $1,500 penalty, and a third or subsequent violation may lead to license suspension or revocation. This introduces a structured enforcement mechanism that was not present in the current law, which primarily defined terms related to veterinary practice without specific provisions for declawing or tendonectomy procedures.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 32-2201, 32-2240.02