ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) New York would be the first state in the U.S. to ban the declawing of cats under legislation approved by lawmakers at the request of cat owners, animal welfare advocates and many veterinarians who call the procedure cruel and needless.

The bill, which would subject veterinarians to $1,000 fines for performing the operation, now heads to the desk of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, whose representatives said he will review the bill before deciding if he will sign it.

Cats of New York: Show me your claws said Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, D-Manhattan, who pushed the bill for years despite the opposition the states largest veterinary society. She called cat declawing barbaric and inhumane.