To make Declawing Animals illegal in Maple Grove: 

Dear Mayor

I would like to draw your attention to one form of the animal cruelty which is legal in one of the best cities in USA. This is "DECLAWING ANIMALS." The following are the some of the reasons why it is brutal:

(A) Inspeakeble Pain:

(1)  It is very painful. It's like chopping off the ends of the fingers and toes and applying surgical glue. It is unbearable pain and humiliation for the cat.

(2) In some cases lasers are used to do the process which can be even more painful, because it cuts and burns at the same time.

(B) Suffering at every step:

(1) A declawed animal can't climb or jump. Even when the cat tries it hurts because before it was using the claws, now it just the flesh rubbing on the surface wearing out the flash at the tip of the paw pads

(2) The cat has an extremely hard or no ability to hunt. In the wild it becomes harder to get food. Sometimes it just starves to death.

(3) The animal becomes defense less to the other animals in wild. It becomes easier pray. 

(4) Humans and animals use nails and claws to scratch and get rid of dry and dead skin cells. I can't imagine not being able to scratch myself for not having nails.

(5) Some animals use their nails to release fragrance to mark the territory. An animal is without a territory is a man without a country.

A few years ago our indoor/outdoor cat was just outside a bedroom window on a warm summer evening. I then heard animals fighting. By the time I could get around the house, I could only see my cat hiding in a window well. She had been attacked by a fox according to the vet. I strongly feel that my cat would have been a meal that night if she did not have her claws to defend herself.

Thank you for giving them a thought of kindnesses and love that they deserve and sign the petition to outlaw declawing of all animals.