Reporting from San Francisco and Beverly Hills-- The law of unintended consequences has seldom been more clearly illustrated than by the catfight unfolding from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

Veterinarians who did not want cities meddling in their business persuaded the state Legislature to bar local governments from banning the practice of declawing cats -- beginning in 2010.

Not wanting to be pushed around themselves, nearly half a dozen cities are rushing to prohibit the controversial procedure before the January deadline, striking a blow for rights both animal and municipal.

This week alone, the score was Cities 3, Vets 0.

The Los Angeles City Council voted 11 to 0 on Friday to ban declawing. Beverly Hills voted 5 to 0 on Thursday, and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 9 to 2 on Tuesday. The cities must finalize their votes in coming weeks.

In the process, city council chambers have rung with testimony about "litter box avoidance" and kitty press-on nails, knuckle amputation and bullying big government.

Just listen to John A. Mirisch of Beverly Hills, where the council voted to ban onychectomy and flexor tendonectomy within its city limits unless the procedures are medically necessary.