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

Many veterinarians and animal welfare advocates claim that the once-common procedure is unnecessary and cruel.

Despite that, New York’s largest veterinary organization opposed the new legislation saying it should be allowed as a last resort.

Declawing cats is already illegal in Canada and most of Europe. Although San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix have bans in place, no state has outlawed the procedure until today.

Linda Rosenthal, a Manhattan politician said the new law should be a model for all other states.