Did you know that some breeders and canine owners devocalize their dogs in order to reduce the sound of their barks? Sound strange? Seem barbaric? Well, it is. For this reason, passing a bill in your state that sets parameters for this type of sugary is a must.
Overview of devocalization
During the process of devocalizing a dog, a veterinarian surgically alters a canine's voice box. This procedure permanently reduces the volume and pitch of a dog's bark making it sound hoarse or more like a whisper. The side effects of this kind of surgery are infections, laryngeal paralysis and airway stenosis. Devocalized dogs often struggle with eating and drinking. Also, they can't defend themselves or alert an owner of trouble because they can't be heard from far away. These side effects, of course, are life altering ones resulting in a lower quality of existence for a dog. (See video below.)
Benefits of passing a state bill
What are the benefits of passing a state bill regarding devocalization? A bill sets down some ground rules. An example of a good one is being voted on now in the state of Massachusetts. House Bill 344 (HB 344) states that no dog can be devocalized unless it is medically necessary; the procedure must be done by a licensed veterinarian; and, a person who violates this law will be subject to a fine and possible jail time. HB 344 is the type of bill you want to pass to stop the unnecessary devocalization of dogs in your state. It does not rule out the procedure all together, but lays out parameters to prevent the abuse of dogs by uncaring or insensitive people.
Who you can contact in your state
In order to stop the unnecessary devocalization of dogs in your state, contact your local city hall or state representative. Express your feelings and find out what is necessary to get a new bill on the books. You may be surprised at how easy the process is and how many people in your state feel the same way you do about the matter.
Ready to take action? Contact your local city hall and state representative. Stand up for man's best friend and draw a line in the sand. Stop the unnecessary devocalization of dogs in your area.
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Comments
Please do not do this. Please
I have met a dog that had this procedure done. The family that owns this dog adopted him with this condition, the previous owners had the procedure done. Its horrible to think that anyone would want it done. If they want an animal that doesn't bark, get a cat!
This is new information for me. Thanks for writing about it. Cruel, very cruel.
I first heard about this last year when a friend told me about her mother's neighbor who had it done. The neighbor kept their dogs penned up and gave them no attention, thus the non-stop barking. Other neighbors complained, so they fixed the problem surgically. I'm still in shock that people actually do this to their dogs.
Indianapolis Healthy Living Examiner
Sims Examiner
I have retrievers, so I am accustomed to quiet dogs. They are bred to be quiet since a barking dog scares away game. The first time I heard a bark-softened dog I was shocked. Then the owner explained to me that she had to bark-soften her dog or euthanize it.
De-barking might not be the choice I'd make for my dog, but I am unwilling to take that option away from another owner. Is it better to kill a dog rather than bark-soften it? I think not.
More people need to mind their own business. Those who want to define bark softening as cruelty should be forced to deal with a screaming dog and complaints by neighbors before they are allowed to define it as cruelty.
Cruel. Great job!
:)
Third culture kids examiner
Seattle stay-at-home moms examiner
Debarking - Myths and Facts
www.naiaonline.org/articles/archives/debark_qna.htm
This video is another lie as barksoftening surgery is not performed on the outside of the dog's throat. This is surgery for cancer and we know this picture. Also bark softening does not hurt the dog and in many cases makes the dog a better pet. Gagging and raspy sounds is a sign of cancer. Debark is not the correct term it is called bark softening. A dog with a high pitch voice is lowered in tone and this the same surgery done on humans who have vocal chord issues that do not allow them to breathe properly. The space between the chords is too small and the air squeals through causing a high pitch. This is really impossible to live with in an incessant barker, not all dogs can be trained to not bark. The equipment used to train a dog not to bark is known to fail and considered a form of torture. Animal rights radicals lie about this procedure to make it more difficult to keep a pet. This is no different than changing from a soprano to a baritone. You can still hear it from 65 feet
Ahhhh, yet another "article" fraught with deliberate misinformation! Shame on you!
The term devocalization is a misnomer conjured up by animal rights groups that are behind the push to make this procedure illegal. It's a quick, simple and SAFE procedure that carries less risk than spaying your female dog. The vet makes a small notch in the vocal folds. The dog is still able to bark, just not as loudly.
I have several bark softened dogs who have NO trouble eating or drinking. This is another "myth" that proponents conjured up. And probably the most ridiculous claim I have seen to date is that bark softened dogs can't defend them self? OMG...really? How totally absurd! Only someone with NO knowledge of canine behavior would make such a claim. Barking is not a major means of canine communication.
If you are going to make a decision on how "humane" a veterinary procedure is, please, at least be armed with the accurate facts versus the emotional falsehoods offered here.
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