LOS ANGELES - THE Los Angeles City Council has given preliminary approval to an ordinance that would ban the declawing of cats.

The unanimous vote on Friday follows a similar action by the Beverly Hills City Council a day earlier. A final vote in both cities is expected Nov 17.

Council members described the procedure as unnecessary and abject animal cruelty.

City Council President Eric Garcetti added an urgency clause to the ordinance so it can take effect before New Year's Day 2010, when the state will begin banning cities and counties from regulating the practice of veterinary medicine.

The cities of Santa Monica and San Francisco also have given preliminary approval to declawing bans.

The city of West Hollywood outlawed declawing in 2003. -- AP