New York has become the first U.S. state to ban the declawing of cats.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation prohibiting the practice, effective immediately.

“Declawing is a cruel and painful procedure that can create physical and behavioral problems for helpless animals, and today it stops,” Cuomo said in a press release.

“By banning this archaic practice, we will ensure that animals are no longer subjected to these inhumane and unnecessary procedures.”

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