This bill adds a new section to Chapter 4-1 of the General Laws entitled "Cruelty to Animals" that prohibits the declawing of cats through surgical procedures. The bill defines declawing as the amputation or modification of a portion of a cat's paw to remove its claws, but excludes the trimming of nonviable claw husk or placing nonpermanent nail caps. The bill also defines tendonectomy as a procedure that impairs the normal functioning of a cat's claws by cutting or modifying the tendons in its limbs, paws, or toes. The bill states that it is unlawful to perform surgical claw removal, declawing, or a tendonectomy on any cat, unless it is performed solely for a therapeutic purpose. Violators of this section would be subject to a fine of up to $1,000. The bill also specifies that the prosecution of violations would be in accordance with § 4-1-20. The bill would take effect upon passage.