AB 209 — Prohibits the removal or disabling of the claws of a cat under certain circumstances. (BDR 50-211)

(Reprinted with amendments adopted on April 19, 2021) FIRST REPRINT A.B.

requiringimposing licensedcivil veterinarianspenalties; to submit certain statements regarding removing or disabling the claws of a cat;

imposing civil penalties and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

Section 1 authorizes the removal or disabling of the claws of a cat if the procedure is necessary to address the physical medical condition of the cat, including addressing an existing or recurring illness, infection, disease, injury or abnormal condition, as determined by a licensed veterinarian.of a cat for cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or for reasons of convenience in keepings or handling the cat.

Section 1 providesimposes thatthe afollowing personcivil shallpenalties noton removeany orperson disablewho theviolates clawssection or1 handlingby theunlawfully cat.cperforming or aestheticcausing reasonsto orbe forperformed reasonscertain ofprocedures conveniencefor inremoving keeping Section 1 requires a licensed veterinarian who determines that the removal or disabling of the claws of a catcat: is necessary to address the physical medical condition of the cat to:

(1) prepare and file a written statement with the Nevada State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners setting forth the purpose for performing the procedurefirst andviolation, providinga thecivil namepenalty and address of thenot ownermore orthan the$1,000; cat.

Section(2) 1for requires the statementsecond toviolation, bea providedcivil topenalty the Board beforeeeper of -not *AB209* – 2 – performing the procedure or, in the case of an emergency, not latermore than 5$2,500. days after performing the procedure.

Section 1 imposesadditionally theprovides followingthat civila penaltieslicensed onveterinarianf any person who violates sectionany 1provision byof unlawfullysection performing1 oris causingsubject to bedisciplinary performedaction certainby proceduresthe penaltyNevada ofState notBoard moreof thanVeterinary $1,000;Medical Examiners.

(2) for the second violation, a civil penalty of not more than $1,500;

and (3) for the third or subsequent violation, a civil penalty of not more than $2,500.

Section 1 imposes the following civil penalties on any licensed veterinarian for a violation of section 1 related to the written statement required to be filed with the Nevada State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners:

(1) for the first violation, a civil penalty of not more than $100;

(2) for the second violation, a civil penalty of not more than $250.

Section 1 additionally providesuent that a licensed veterinarian who violates any provision of section 1 is subject to disciplinary action by the Board.

(NRS 638.140) If the Board determines that a licensed - *AB209_R1* – 2 – veterinarian has violated section 1, the Board may:

(4) suspend a license for eacha act;definite veterinarian on probation;

(6) place a licensed veterinarian on probation;

(8) limit the practicepracticed of the licensed veterinarian to specified branches of veterinary medicine;

If a licensed veterinarian determines that it is necessary to remove or disable the claws of a cat to address the physical medical condition of the cat, as described in subsection 1, the licensed veterinarian shall, before performing the procedure or not later than 5 days after performing the procedure if the procedure is required in the case of an emergency:

- *AB209* – 3 – (a) Prepare and file a written statement with the Nevada State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners setting forth the purpose for performing the procedure and providing the name and address of the owner or keeper of the cat;

and (b) Provide a copy of the statement to the owner or keeper of the cat.

3.

3.

In addition to the penalties described in subsection 2, a licensed veterinarian who fails to comply with the provisions of this section is subject to disciplinary action by the Nevada State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners pursuant to NRS 638.140.

AnyThe licensedAttorney veterinarianGeneral whomay violatesrecover the civil penalty for a provisionviolation of subsection 21 shall:in a civil action brought in the name of the State of Nevada in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(a) For the first violation, pay a civil penalty of not more than $100;

(b) For the second violation, pay a civil penalty of not more than $150;

and (c) For the third or subsequent violation, pay a civil penalty of not more than $250.

 Any money collected pursuant to this subsection must be deposited with the State Treasurer for credit to the State General Fund.

In addition to the penalties described in subsections 3 and 4, a licensed veterinarian who fails to comply with the provisions of this section is subject to disciplinary action by the Nevada State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners pursuant to NRS 638.140.

6.

The Attorney General may recover the civil penalty for a violation of subsection 1 or 2 in a civil action brought in the name of the State of Nevada in any court of competent jurisdiction.

7.

- *AB209_R1* – 3 – (a) “Cat” means a domestic cat of the species Felis catus or a hybrid of that species.

- *AB209* – 4 – (d) “Phalangectomy” means the excision of one or more of the phalanges of the paw of a cat.

- *AB209_R1* – 4 – (f) Prohibit or interfere with established methods of animal husbandry, including the raising, handling, feeding, housing and transporting of livestock or farm animals.

- *AB209* – 5 – 2.

- *AB209_R1* – 5 – (1) Any requirement to obtain a license or other authorization to engage in a business in a county or incorporated city in this State;

- *AB209* – 6 – (c) “Swap meet” means a flea market, open-air market or other organized event at which two or more persons offer merchandise for sale or exchange.

- *AB209_R1* – 6 – 12.