New York bans declawing cats, but allows infanticide

In the same year they eliminated protections for unborn children, New York lawmakers made their state the first to ban the declawing of cats.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who signed a law in January effectively allowing abortion until birth, signed a law Monday that would protect animals from an "inhumane and unnecessary" procedure, reported CNN.

LifeNews.com pointed out that cats in New York now have more legal protections than unborn babies.

Veterinarians who violate the new law could face $1,000 fines.

Supporters of the new law argue removing a cat's claws requires the partial amputation of the last bone in each of the toes on its front feet.

Senate deputy leader Michael Gianaris said in a statement the procedure is akin to severing a human finger at the knuckle.

However, CNN reported the New York State Veterinary Medical Society said it supports owners' and veterinarians' right to choose whether to declaw a cat.

NYSVMS believes a veterinarian ... should be permitted to make medical decisions after direct consultation with a client and a thorough examination of the patient and its home circumstances," the society said in a statement.

LifeNews.com noted that lawmakers celebrated when they passed the the New York Reproductive Health Act.

Going beyond Roe v. Wade, it redefines a "person" as "a human being who has been born and is alive," describing abortion as a "fundamental right."

New York lawmakers also repealed a law that required medical care to be provided to babies who survive abortions. In addition, criminal penalties for people who kill an unborn baby during an illegal act, such as abusing the mother, were removed.

"An abortion kills an unborn baby – a unique, living human being from the moment of conception," LifeNews.com argued.

"In some cases, nearly fully formed unborn babies are aborted by being dismembered."

In D&E, or dilation and evacuation abortions, second trimester unborn babies "are ripped apart limb from limb while their hearts are still beating."

"Protecting life should be the primary focus of public servants," LifeNews.com said.

"Instead, these New York lawmakers choose to discriminate and place more value on some lives than others. Ultimately, their choices serve the abortion industry and its deadly work, rather than the vulnerable mothers and unborn children who so desperately need society’s support."