Canine Devocalization Surgery: A Controversial Procedure

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| Print | By Jo Singer | October 26, 2009 11:14 AM

Over the weekend I received an email from the Care2 petition site asking people to sign a petition targeted at the U.S. House of Representatives. Pending now is a proposed bill in Massachusetts banning the practice of canine devocalization, often referred to as "convenience devocalization" or "debarking".

Photo: Jack Russell Terrier
26-Jack Russell.jpg This is a surgical procedure which is highly controversial. It is sometimes performed on felines as well. The surgical method of Devocalization surgery is done by cutting the animal's vocal cords through their oral cavity or by an incision in the neck. It permanently stops or reduces the volume of the sound of barking or meowing.

In the United Kingdom this procedure is considered to be a form of mutilation and has already been banned. Here in this country, the surgery is legal, and many rescue and animal protection organizations, along with dog and cat lovers have been attempting to also have the procedure outlawed in various states. At this time no bills have been passed to ban the procedure, but an amendment now only permits devocalization performed under anesthesia by a licensed veterinarian. The American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) position on canine devocalization is, "Canine devocalization should only be performed by qualified, licensed veterinarians as a final alternative after behavioral modification efforts to correct excessive vocalization have failed."

Devocalization surgery can cause hemorrhaging, difficulty swallowing, breathing problems coughing or gagging and creates serious health risks for these animals. It also prevents animals from communicating if a dangerous situation arises, or to alert the owner that something is wrong.

Since "excessive" vocalization is generally caused by improper training or socialization methods, boredom, stress, frustration or separation anxiety, it seems to me that owners should be consulting canine or feline behavioral specialists to get to the bottom of these behavior problems, and to humanely deal with them. As many as 35% of dog owners already report excessive barking, but from where I sit, they may be more concerned with being sued by unhappy neighbors which may result from these excessive vocalization episodes.

One strong advocate in support for "convenience devocalization" surgery is Charlotte McGowan, an AKC dog show judge for over 30 years and author of "The Shetland Sheepdog in America". She states, "There is a move around the country by animal rights interests to outlaw the practice of debarking dogs. So much misinformation about this procedure abounds that it is truly time to set the record straight.

As a dog breeder for over 40 years, I can tell you that debarking in the hands of a well trained veterinarian is a very useful tool for breeders and owners and it saves lives. I have had a lot of dogs debarked over the years and the usefulness of this procedure should not be ignored. I know friends who have used debarking for decades with no ill effects on the dogs." Read more by visiting: http://www.naiaonline.org/articles/archives/debark_qna.htm

In my opinion, this practice of silencing the voice of a dog is outrageous and inhumane. With appropriate training and care these "problem" vocalizations can be remedied.

Do you think that devocalization surgeries should be banned? If so, please join the over 10,000 people who have already signed the Care2 petition by visiting: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/192425248# and contact your representatives to propose a nation- wide ban.

RELATED TOPICS: Blogs (262) , Cruelty (23) , Dogs (66) , Surgery (3)

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Ruth from England October 26, 2009 1:32 PM

This is a very cruel procedure and needs to be made illegal worldwide.What is it with some people who get animals and only want to adapt them ? Why do they get them in the first place ? Dogs bark, cats meow and have claws,it's the essence of what species they are ! Their lives are so very short in comparison with ours,why ruin that life ?

Di October 26, 2009 3:06 PM

I would never have an animal devocalized; it just goes against my grain and I find the idea abhorant. But I hesitate to add yet another law to the books and wonder what the unintended consequences of such a law would be. Such a law does not adress the root cause of the problem: the lack of training by owners. The law will not change owners' behavior in any way; it will merely take away an option that they now have to control their pets' noise levels. My guess is that it will result in more dogs and cats being put down, sent to shelters, or simply abandoned.

As a matter of personal opinion only, if I were given a choice to live the rest of my life mute or to die, I'd probably choose to live the rest of my life mute. (My husband probably would't mind if I did!!)

Amy October 28, 2009 5:46 AM

This is a very disturbing thing. Why do people "insist" on surgically altering of the original form. Animals were created a certain way for self preservation of the species.

Chopinski November 26, 2009 8:51 AM

Ms. McGowan bred Shelties--an innately "barky" and active breed--in a small, quiet and very upscale suburban neighborhood. When neighbors complained, she had their vocal cords cut. How could anyone with half a brain and a whole heart consider this humane? Laws are needed for people who breed or care for companion animals irresponsibly, then resolve their own lack of judgment, laziness or greed by surgically altering their animals. "Nuisance" barking or meowing (yes, some cats are devocalized too!) is not an animal problem. It's a people problem.

Chopinski November 26, 2009 8:58 AM

Di: More than 50 shelters and rescue groups testifed that devocalization does NOT ensure animals a secure home; devocalized dogs and cats are dumped just like any other, including when they're past their prime for breeding or exhibition. They also die from choking--like the little Pom devocalized by a prominent member of the Mass. Veterinary Medical Assn.--aspiration pneumonia or heat stroke when scarring develops in the throat, which it inevitably does. Those who survive this convenience surgery rasp, wheeze, cough and gag the rest of their lives. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZPoyuMw870

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