Is it time to ban the practice of declawing cats?

Margie Scherk is among agrowing number of veterinarians who refuse to declawa cat, even if itsowner wants the procedure done.

"Who gives me the right to decide that I'm going to lop off your fingers at the first knuckle?" Scherksaid.

More than 2,700 people have signed her online petition, calling on fellow British Columbianveterinarians to stop declawing domestic cats.

"This is so long overdue it's ridiculous," Scherk said.

Unacceptable 'from an ethical viewpoint'

In December, the Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association deemed the practice "ethically unacceptable"and imposed a ban that will go into effect in March, making it the first province to do so.The practice is already banned in the U.K., Europe, Australia and several California cities.

Emilia Gordon, senior manager of animal health at the BC SPCA, would like to see British Columbiafollow suit.

"We know it's a lot more harmful than we used to think and there is a much higher risk of adverse long-term effects than we used to think," said Gordon, who points to studies that show declawed cats are more likely to bite and be aggressive.

B.C. vets want chance to vote

The College of Veterinarians of British Columbia has polled itsmembers on the practice.

Documents obtained by CBCNews indicate nearly 80 per cent of the 509 B.C. vets that responded to the poll support a ban, and 62 per cent have already stopped performing the procedure.

"Even though many vets voluntarily have chosen to stop doing the procedure, [the next step]is to ask the CVBCto let veterinarians vote on whether this procedureshould even be legal,"Gordon said.

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Associationhas strengthened itsstand, saying the practicecauses unnecessary and avoidable pain.

It is up to veterinarian regulators in each province to decide whether to ban the practice.

In a statement, the College of Veternarians of B.C. says it is aware of the concerns many people have and has planned a study "to examine the optimal way of meeting the objectives of all stakeholders."The statement adds thatthere will be consultations before action is taken.