Declawing Cats

[Anomalocaris]

I work in the veterinary field. There are arguments by some veterinarians against this legislation because people will probably dump cats at a higher rate if they are not allowed to declaw them.
I would never in a zillion years declaw a cat, I think it's a horrendous thing to do to a sentient animal and it deprives them of a body part they need to live a normal life. I am also strongly against ear cropping of dogs and tail docking of dogs, cattle and horses, and other such forms of mutilation.

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I think cruelty to animals may be repulsive, but regulating it is in principle wrong.

Why?

Because it is purely the imposition of aesthetic opinion.  Human society has in principle rejected treating non-human sentience as if what we artificially ascribe to them to be concern equal to the well being and prosperity of humans.