Three Barks for Logan’s Law!

dog and cat

Update April 23, 2010: Late yesterday, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signed H.B. 344, an Act banning the devocalization of dogs and cats into law! 

This is the first effective statewide law to ban devocalization. The law was drafted and supported by Animal Law Coalition and passed as a result of a grass roots effort, Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets (CPRPets), made up of pet owners, veterinarians, shelters and rescues, attorneys, students, and other advocates and citizens. 

New Jersey has a law banning devocalization, but there are a number of broad exceptions that make it generally unenforceable. The only exception in the Massachusetts law is for medical necessity as determined by a licensed veterinarian for disease, injury or a congenital condition that is causing or could cause the animal harm or pain and suffering. 

This cruel practice of devocalization is largely done by breeders for their own convenience.

For more on this bill and its history including efforts by MVMA and breeders to defeat it, read Animal Law Coalition’s previous reports below. 

Update April 9: The Massachusetts House of Representatives has now concurred in or accepted the minor amendments made by the Senate! 

Following enactment by both the House and the Senate, both of which passed the bill overwhelmingly initially, H.B. 344, a bill to ban devocalization of dogs and cats, also known as Logan’s Law, goes to Governor Deval Patrick for signature. 

Update April 1: Despite MVMA’s best efforts, H.B. 344, Logan’s Law, the bill to ban devocalization of dogs and cats, was engrossed or passed by the Massachusetts Senate today! 

There were minor amendments to the bill that relate to the reporting requirements in the rare event a veterinarian would perform a devocalization out of medical necessity.

The bill now goes to the House which must approve the minor amendments. The House has already engrossed the legislation as originally introduced. 

Update Mar. 31, 2010: There is no doubt that Logan’s Law, H.B. 344, which would ban devocalization of dogs and cats except for medical necessity, has overwhelming support from the Massachusetts House of Representatives, the public and many veterinarians and shelters. 

But, the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA), fearful of lost revenue from devocalizing dogs for commercial breeders, has proposed another amendment to kill the bill. MVMA has offered an exemption to all breeders and people who use dogs or cats for show, hunting or other such purposes. MVMA’s amendment would protect only "pets" from "convenience devocalization", not the many dogs and cats held or bred by commercial breeders or used for show, hunting or worse. 

Another problem is the MVMA exemption is cleverly worded. MVMA creates the exemption for breeders and the like by limiting the ban to "pets" instead of "dogs and cats" as in H.B. 344. Many state senators may not realize by using the word "pet", this means breeders and the like and their willing veterinarians will be exempt because they don’t consider the dogs and cats they keep, breed and sell to be "pets". Neither do many who use dogs for shows, hunting and the like.

MVMA also buries in yet another amendment that would allow devocalization if it is done by non-invasive surgery. What does it matter how it is done if the dog or cat is left mute or able only to make soft, whining, gagging sounds? 

Finally, MVMA would exempt veterinarians who perform illegal devocalizations from any criminal penalties, even fines.  

This is only the latest effort by MVMA to gut this humane bill. 

Other disinformation by MVMA 

MVMA also says that the bill requires vets to file a certificate of necessity before devocalization is performed for medical necessity. This is simply not true.

The bill makes clear that performing devocalization on a dog or cat is animal cruelty unless the vet files a certificate indicating it was done out of medical necessity. Obviously, the certificate would be filed after the devocalization surgery! The vet is not required to get permission for the surgery, as MVMA has implied, and no one even reviews whether the devocalization was indeed medically necessary! 

Even if it is not clear when the vet must file the certificate, the bill can be easily amended to state the certificate must be filed after the devocalization and not before. It is not a reason to throw out the whole bill as MVMA would prefer! 

Just the Facts

  • Because House Bill 344 allows vocal cord surgery only to treat disease, injury or birth defects, it requires a simple certificate stating the medical reason for vocal cord surgery. It is to be filed after surgery is performed. That is in line with other MA laws requiring veterinary certificates.
  • MVMA is urging vets to defeat the bill based on misinterpretation of this provision.
  • The association exists to protect members’ business interests. Apparently enough members profit from devocalization to devote lobbying and financial resources to kill House Bill 344, which would end this unethical practice.
  • Without a certificate of medical necessity, there is no accountability, and vets will be free to devocalize under the radar–cruel business as usual.

For more information about this bill, read Animal Law Coalition’s reports below and the transcript attached below for downloading of the discussion and vote on H.B. 344 in the House of Representatives.

Update Mar. 3, 2010: The Massachusetts House of Representatives voted 155-1 for engrossment of the bill, H.B. 344, to ban devocalization except in the event of medical necessity. The bill passed without amendments.

During consideration of the bill, representatives were shown photos of dogs left with horrific scars from devocalization and learned of animals left unable to bark and who choked or gagged frequently as a result of this convenience surgery. 

The bill now goes to the state Senate! 

H.B. 344, An Act to Prohibit Devocalization of Dogs and Cats, Logan’s Law would stop what Massachusetts state Rep. Vincent Pedone has called "barbaric and inhumane", the devocalization of dogs and cats. The Third Reading Committee which he chairs is releasing the bill, without amendments, for a vote by the full House. 

A December 2009 poll shows Massachusetts voting age adults oppose devocalization at a rate of 21:1. There were no differences by gender, age or race. Source: Chestnut Hill Advisors, Chestnut Hill, MA

The sponsor of H.B. 344, An Act to Prohibit Devocalization of Dogs and Cats, a coalition of concerned citizens, pet owners, veterinarians and advocates, known as Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets (CPR Pets), issued this statement, "Lobbyists for the special interests that profit from devocalization may not be happy with these poll results. But fact is, they mirror our experience. As we canvas throughout Massachusetts, the question nearly everyone asks of CPR Pets is, ‘Why on earth is devocalization legal?’"

devocalized dogWhy this bill must pass without opponent’s amendments

Those profiting from devocalization have hedged their bets. If they can’t kill the bill outright, they hope to render it worthless with loopholes by adding language like the following:

1)  "Allowable as a last resort or for behavioral problems or if the owner has been charged with having a noisy animal" are all amendments that would make the law unenforceable.

  • No vet can determine, and some won’t try, whether a client pursued all humane options or provides proper care. (Bored, lonely or anxious dogs bark more–they may also bite!) Also, allowing devocalization for any behavioral problem or if the owner has been charged with having a noisy animal, the bill would sanction exactly what it is trying to outlaw – inhumane convenience devocalization.  The bill would be unenforceable and pointless.
  • This loophole is baseless too: Respected shelter operators testified before the legislative committee that devocalized animals are abandoned like any other. It does not save lives. There is no evidence that devocalization will prevent noisy animals from being surrendered or abandoned. In fact, we have found it’s just the opposite. Nearly all the devocalized dogs we’ve found were adopted after their breeders, who ordered the surgery, dumped them.

    Devocalization can require multiple surgeries if tissue grows back. It also results in scar tissue and can mean health complications for the animal. Owners who do this to their animals are more likely to get rid of them if there are too many costly surgeries or health problems.

    Banning devocalization will save animals from being surrendered or abandoned.

    Surgical devocalizing or silencing does not address the problem causing the barking such as stress, fear, loneliness, frustration, illness, injury, poor socialization, lack of training, and instead is akin to cutting the vocal chords of a noisy child. The reason for the barking, distress, boredom, fear, will continue regardless and likely escalate, and the dog or cat may act out in other ways, including by biting, and as a result, end up in the pound. 

  • Responsible selection, care, training and housing, not convenience surgery,  keep behavior from becoming a "nuisance."

2) An amendment that says devocalization is "permissible if performed by a licensed vet" would maintain the status quo, and animals would continue to suffer.

  • It’s vets who are devocalizing now! Yet animals are suffering.
  • Devocalization poses serious, life-threatening risks regardless of who performs it–including the prominent Mass. Veterinary Medical Assn. member whose patient, a little Pomeranian, choked to death after she devocalized him.
  • Angell Animal Medical Center endorses this bill with good reason
  • More than 200 MA vets have taken an ethical stand despite MVMA’s alignment with the breeding community against this humane bill. Make sure your vet is on board! For a veterinary endorser near you: CPRPets@aol.com

Watch the video below to learn about this issue and go here to watch this video and see this video for accounts of what happened to dogs that were devocalized. (Read the story of Stella featured in the attachment to this article below.)

Sadly, Mass Veterinary Medical Assn. implied in its denunciation of the bill that ASPCA opposed H.B. 344.  ASPCA, however, has announced it supports the bill and called on MVMA to remove ASPCA’s name from its opposition papers. 

Some vets make money from these devocalizations especially those performed for breeders and thus the MVMA’s opposition to this bill which would make convenience devocalization illegal. 

cat

More About Logan’s Law

Animal Law Coalition has drafted this bill to ban devocalizing or silencing of dogs and cats in Massachusetts except in the event of a medical necessity circumstances. In dogs it is called "debarking".

A grassroots effort led by  the Coalition to  Rescue and Protect Pets (CRPets) is underway to pass the bill, H.B. 344, An Act to Prohibit Devocalization of Dogs and Cats. There are numerous co-sponsors. Numerous veterinarians, rescues and citizens have endorsed this bill.

The bill, H.B. 344, if passed, will be called Logan’s Law, named for Logan, a dog that underwent devocalization surgery and was later abandoned. Tom and Gayle Fitzpatrick adopted Logan. Gayle is the founder of Friends of the Plymouth Pound.

Demi is another example of a dog who was devocalized. Cynthia M., Taunton, explains, "We rescued Demi after a breeder had her vocal cords cut to stifle her voice. Devocalization is inhumane." And more common than you think.

"When Demi was spayed, scar tissue from devocalization made it difficult to keep her airway open. Just a little exertion stresses her, and she can’t bark at all, only whine. Cutting the vocal cords of a healthy animal is immoral. It should be illegal."

You can read Stella’s story in the attachment below. These are just a few examples of the widespread practice particularly among breeders of devocalizing dogs, a convenience surgery that is cruel and inhumane. 

CRPets adds, "Some breeders devocalize routinely to keep many dogs without complaints from neighbors. Occasionally, an uninformed or irresponsible pet owner will order this convenience surgery, rendering his or her "best friend" mute or chronically hoarse. These animals face serious risks regardless of the vet’s skill or how the vocal cords are cut. Some die. Others gag uncontrollably…choke on food or water…struggle to breathe the rest of their lives. And they don’t benefit at all: Devocalized dogs and cats are abandoned like any other".

Attached is a Download outlining the fictions they are spreading about devocalization and the facts.

What is devocalizing or silencing? 

Devocalizing or silencing is a painful surgical procedure to remove or cut the vocal chords. This procedure can cause paralysis of the larynx, difficulty in breathing, and adverse reaction to anesthesia. An animal may be forced to undergo multiple surgeries because of regrowth of tissue. This is not a simple procedure as some may tell you.

The proposed legislation would make it illegal for anyone to surgically devocalize or silence a dog or cat. There are exceptions to protect the health of the animal. Only in rare instances would surgical devocalizing or silencing be medically necessary.

More typically, surgical devocalizing or silencing is a cruel, inhumane act done for the convenience of the owner. It does not address the problem causing the barking such as stress, fear, loneliness, frustration, illness, injury, poor socialization, lack of training, and instead is akin to cutting the vocal chords of a noisy child. 

Dogs and cats that cannot vocalize their intentions, moods or needs present a risk to the public and increased liability to pet owners.

People may not realize a dog is about to bite or attack, for example, because the dog has not barked, and because he has been debarked or silenced, can only make a wheezy, rasping sound. A dog that cannot bark also cannot signal danger to family members, for example, from an intruder or a fire. 

Dennis Oakley, Federal Police Canine Handler, explains, "I cannot begin to tell you how many times barking has changed a potentially dangerous situation just by sounding an alarm. We would teach (military guard) dogs when it was "ok" to bark and when to be quiet." 

"The whole deck was on fire…near the gas line. Thank God I have a dog who barks, who does a good job of protecting us." This from Bob Mohr, Pet Owner, Plymouth

Devocalizing does not mean an animal is less likely to be abandoned or surrendered to a shelter. Just the opposite. CPR Pets says, "Nearly all the devocalized dogs we’ve found were adopted after their breeders, who ordered the surgery, dumped them."

Devocalization can require multiple surgeries if tissue grows back. It also results in scar tissue and can mean health complications for the animal. Owners who do this to their animals are more likely to get rid of them if there are too many costly surgeries or health problems.

Devocalization does not address the underlying behavior that may be causing the barking or crying. The reason for the barking or crying, whether fear, boredom, stress, will continue and escalate, and a dog or cat may act out in other ways, including by biting, and as a result, end up in the pound. 

Also, devocalizing or silencing enables illegal activities associated with dogs and cats: Owners trying to avoid pet limits, licensing or nuisance laws may simply debark their pets. Worse, commercial breeders hiding the numbers of dogs or cats they have and the squalid conditions in which they are kept, notoriously rely on devocalizing or silencing. 

Making surgical devocalizing or silencing a crime will, in fact, give law enforcement and prosecutors another tool in investigating and prosecuting animal cruelty as well as enforcing regulations for commercial breeders.  

 

122 thoughts on “Three Barks for Logan’s Law!”

  1. What the hell does the state of Massachusetts think it is doing trying to take away the voices of animals? Were these animals born with no vocal cords? No, I think they were provided the same means of communication that human beings were, they just voice it in a different manner.
    How would the Massachusetts officials who are making these decisions feel if we all decided that their vocal cords should be severed? Huh? Let’s think about that before we try anymore inhuman acts upon innocent animals who can’t fight the system for themselves.
    “V”

  2. It is sickening to think that any part of society would allow this to occur. It’s inhumane, sick, pathetic and WRONG!! If animals are to be devocalized then humans should be too. I’d rather here from an animal than a stupid human. MS

  3. I don’t think a single person with an ounce of compassion would find this acceptable nevermind MORAL. The pure concept is demoralizing and heinous. Anyone performing the procedure much less requesting or approving of it is absolutely sick.

  4. You obviously do not understand the proceedure of voice reduction. And you don’t understand how disruptive a barking dog can be. You should lay in your bed night after night and listen to the dog next door bark mindlessly all night long. Would you rather have the dog wear a shock collar to keep him quiet? Is that more humane? It’s okay to cut a female dog open and rip out her uterus (which is only allowed in humans for a medical emergency) and put them through the pain and discomfort of surgery, but it’s not okay to perform a 10 SECOND painless surgery that will allow an owner to happily keep his or her dog rather than turn it over to the shelter because the dog will not stop barking? Where the heck is the logic in that? Ignorant people are quick to judge without knowing all the facts. And also, debarked dogs can still bark and you can still hear them. Their voice is softened so that the irritating edge is gone and makes living with and around a barking dog MUCH more tolerable.

  5. What a shame that people all over the country are buying into what extreme animal rights groups are feeding them. They post headlines of cruelty and outrage and the public believes them without doing any research at all. All they have to hear are the words ANIMAL CRUELTY and they are mindlessly on board. It sounds like a noble cause for sure, but if you actually read the words you would understand that these groups have an agenda to ELIMINATE FOREVER companion animals because they are designed by man for man’s pleasure. Are you ready to live your life without a dog or cat? Are you ready for your children or grandchildren to never experience the joy of a pet? It’s so sad to me to see so many people jumping on the bandwagon without realizing what it is they are truly supporting. The animals rights groups do NOT present all the facts, they are extremly deceitful in the images and information they give to the public. The truth of the matter is that IRRESPONSIBLE OWNERS are the problem, and not conscientious breeders and fanciers and pet owners. If every dog or cat in the cournty was resonsibly owned and trained, there would never be a case where a dog or cat winds up euthanized or up for adoption in a shelter. But the extremists will not tell you THAT, they want you to think that good breeders and fanciers are the cause of the problem. Think about it people…

  6. What is wrong with people? Why can’t something just be the way it is. Why do humans have to change nature to fit their lives. It’s sickening to think of a dog or cat having to go through this. To loose their voice, be put through surgery for a human. I really really hope that they do ban this cruelty.

  7. I find it interesting that the moderators of the board took down my post about my debarked dog; how the surgery was simple and painless and how she is a much happier dog today because I am not having to constantly yell at her to be quiet anymore. These radical groups don’t want you to know both sides of the story. They only want you to see THEIR side because they know in reality this procedure is not cruel and it is a very good alternative to shock collars and surrendering dogs to the shelter. It is part of responsible dog ownership. Way to go guys! How do you sleep at night…

  8. That is called CENSORSHIP and that isn’t what this Country is about. Radical groups have to resort to it to keep the public ignorant.

  9. Please note that we do not tolerate postings supporting animal cruelty offered under the guise of "responsible dog ownership".  That’s why your posting was removed. You even indicate you "constantly yell[ed]" at your dog to be quiet. Yelled at a dog to get her to be quiet? And then when that didn’t work, you cut out her vocal cords?  What about you taking some training classes and learning how to manage a dog other than by yelling and subjecting her to unnecessary surgery that leaves her unable to bark properly and creates risk of health problems in the future? That would have been responsible dog ownership.

    Laura 

  10. You are obviously a breeder. You say out of one side of your mouth that irresponsible owners are the problem and out of the other you want no laws against any animal cruelty because that is “extreme”. What you want is to breed animals as you please, make your profits and then dump those left over in the public shelter. You want no inconvenience from an animal. You are the ones who don’t want pets. You want profits from your animals and no intrusion into your life at all.

    Devocalization is a cruel procedure. I have seen them. You are minimizing it to serve your own commercial interests. They are done for the convenience of the owner or to hide animals and the deplorable conditions in which they are kept by hoarders, dog fighters and some breeders. Devocalization doesn’t address the reasons dogs bark and leaves the same furstrations, anxiety and fears there. Only now the animal cannot communicate.

    Get some dog training if you need help with a barking dog. Learn to communicate with this animal, this living being. Or go get a stuffed animal if a living one is too messy for you.

  11. Obviously you don’t support spay/neuter. Another breeder? Hey, debarked dogs are more likely to end up in the shelter. They can develop health and behavior issues from this cruel procedure. You don’t know what you are talking about and are trying to minimize animal cruelty probably because you see animals as nothing but a source of income and food. I would never abuse an animal that way.

  12. My comment is that you should have been devocalized instead of your dog. You should not even be allowed an animal. This is cruelty, and I wonder how you would feel if someone wanted to do this to you. This animal cannot even protect you or warn you of any incident harmful to you. I hope that (forgive me God) that an incident will happen to you to punish you for this hidious act.

    Annie Davis
    Adoption Officer,
    The Northern Neck Humane Society

  13. No, I am not a breeder. And let me tell you, RESPONSIBLE breeders don’t just have puppies, make money and dump the rest at the shelter. Whoever is telling you that is not telling you the truth. Certainly, there ARE those folks out there that do exactly as you describe, and that is tragic. They keep and raise dogs in terrible conditions and they DON’T care about what happens to any of them. I understand animal rights groups wanting to do away with these types of people. But PLEASE, do not confuse those irresponsible people with those to take full responsibility for their actions. They SPEND a lot more money than they MAKE taking care of the their dogs and puppies. They offer a health guarantee for their pups and require the new owners to spay and neuter them. They spend thousands of dollars at dog shows and perfomance events, which is a testament to the quality and intelligence of the dogs they choose to breed. If you are not in agreement with showing dogs, that is your right to disagree and I respect that.

    Think about this for a moment. Most shelter animals are MIXED breed dogs. Responsible breeders don’t breed mixed breed dogs. They say that 25% of the shelter dogs are purebred dogs. Well, those dogs come from pet stores and backyard breeders. Good quality specimens of purebred dogs don’t wind up in animal shelters because they are responsibly owned.

    Devocalization is not a cruel procedure. I have a debarked dog. She is happy and healthy and she doesn’t annoy the neighbors or my family anymore with her exuberant barking. She loves to bark at my other dogs incessantly and I cannot figure out why she does this nor can I seem to break the habit. It’s not that this is “messy” for me. I do not want to be scolding this dog all the time. I stood right next to the vet while he performed the 10 second procedure, and my dog was up and on her feet and walking out the door in 15 minutes. She did not suffer a single bit, nor does she have any psychological problems because her bark is no longer deafening. People that judge this procedure do not understand it. They simply jump on the bandwagon of animal rights groups because they claim is it cruel. My dog can still bark, I can still hear her. She just doesn’t have that ear-piercing pitch to her bark anymore. And by the way, my original post that described my situation was TAKEN DOWN off this board. I was CENSORED because my experience is OPPOSITE of what this group wants YOU to believe. I was not allowed to tell my story. And this is in the USA. Now, what does that tell you about this group?

  14. My dog can still bark, I can still hear her, and she suffers absolutely NO psychological or health problems because of her procedure. Her shrill bark is softened to the point where she does not pierce my eardrums, that’s all. I was at my wit’s end with her. I did not want to put a shock collar on her. It would be nice to be able to train a dog not to bark, but everything that I tried with her did not work. She is a small terrier breed that loves to bark. It’s what they do. I did not want to have to keep this dog inside all the time or give her away. It’s a nice premise to say that dogs should be trained not to bark, but I don’t think that works in every case. Some dogs were bred to bark for their “job” and that doesn’t always fit in well with the neighbors. I would never subject my dog to something I felt was unreasonable or cruel. It is a much more painful surgery to have a dog’s uterus ripped out of her body. I have my pets spayed and neutered, by the way. And let me tell you, they are in a LOT more pain after a spay surgery than a debark. But animal rights groups are okay with that kind of pain for a dog. But since the end result is a good thing, it’s okay. Well the end result for a voice reduction is also okay. Dogs are not people. They don’t go into a depression because the volume of their bark is reduced. They don’t care. They live in the moment, they live life to the fullest and they don’t worry about things like people do. It seems that making a dog suffer is okay only when it is in agreement with your agenda.

  15. Maybe someday you will live next door to a dog that barks day and night and won’t allow you to get any sleep. I did not want my neighbors complaining about my dog. This concept of cruelty is being anthropomophized. Do you think female dogs get depressed because they can’t have any more puppies? Do you think they feel less of a female? Spaying a female dog is much more painful and psychologically damaging, don’t you think?

    I applaud you folks that want to stand up for abused and neglected animals. I just think that you go overboard sometimes. There are plenty of animals out there that need the help. There are plenty of people out there that DO neglect and abuse their pets, and that is a tragedy. Maybe some people do debark their dogs because they want to keep 50 of them in a small area, but that isn’t me. I love my pets. I don’t have any children so they are my children. They live better than a lot of children in this country. I provide the best of everything that I possibly can.

    I must say thank you to all of you that fight hard to put an end to animal cruelty. But in my opinion, it should be REAL cruelty, not something as subjective as this.

  16. It sounds like you didn’t try training, just went for the surgery? You said earlier what you tried was yelling at her? That is not training.  Here are some reasons why devocalization should not be an option for a dog or cat:

    It is an invasive surgery with no benefit to the animal. Risks include laryngeal paralysis, airway compromise, hemorrhage and negative reactions to anesthesia. Devocalization often must be repeated, sometimes a number of times, due to tissue regrowth.

    Here is some insight from Tufts:            

    "It is the ethical philosophy of Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine that this procedure be performed only in cases of medical necessity.  Instead, animal advocates urge responsible pet ownership: Carefully consider breed-some dogs and cats are hard-wired to make more noise than others-as well one’s lifestyle and environment before bringing an animal home. Consult a veterinarian to rule out medical reasons for excessive vocalization, then work with a professional to diagnose and treat the underlying emotional/behavioral issues.

    "Debarking is a painful surgical procedure used by impatient dog owners to "solve" barking problems. Dogs bark; that’s what they do. There is always a reason why they bark that should be understood and addressed. A surgical solution is not the answer, and furthermore it’s inhumane." Dr. Nicholas Dodman, BVMS, MRCVS, DVA; Diplomate ACVA and ACVB; Director, Behavior Clinic, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine; Author

    Here is more information:  

    It is Inhumane. Devocalization-cutting an animal’s vocal chords-poses surgical risks such as bleeding, infection and negative reaction to general anesthesia. It is painful. And it carries high potential for postoperative complications, including airway obstruction and laryngeal paralysis.  The procedure is strictly for human convenience; there is no benefit to the animal. There are better options for mitigating vocalization.

    It Doesn’t Keep Animals Out of Shelters. Multiple devocalization surgeries typically are required; tissue often grows back, and animals regain their ability to vocalize in as few as two years.  Repeating the procedure and treating complications subjects the animal to more pain and more risk-including the risk of landing in a shelter should his owner be unable or unwilling to pay for ongoing surgeries. This in turn burdens taxpayers with the cost of caring for or euthanizing an animal deformed by the very person who is supposed to love and protect him.  

    It Doesn’t Solve the Problem. Like humans, animals vocalize for many reasons. And like human babies, animals can’t form words. What may seem like "nuisance" vocalization may stem from improper socialization. Often, it is an expression of physical or emotional distress, such as fear, loneliness or frustration.  Devocalization doesn’t solve the problem. It just addresses the symptom with unnecessary surgery. Would you cut a colicky baby’s vocal chords? Animals feel pain too.

    It is Counterproductive. Along with communicating distress, dogs bark to protect their family, whether from an intruder or hazards such as fire. Devocalizing them removes that ability.

    It is Irresponsible. Cutting an animal’s vocal chords as a "quick fix" for barking or meowing disincentivizes the responsible pet ownership necessary for harmony and safety in our communities, including adherence to leash and scoop laws, spaying/neutering, and vaccination. Responsibility and a committed, loving bond are built when people interact with their pets, create suitable living environments, and invest in training or pharmaceutical intervention to resolve behavior issues. Indeed, responsibility begins before one brings a dog or cat home, with careful selection as well as consideration of one’s lifestyle and environment. A breed hard-wired to bark excessively (or any dog) left alone in an apartment or chained outside many hours a day is a recipe for disaster-complaints from neighbors and visits from Animal Control. Likewise, if one doesn’t enjoy hearing a cat vocalize, a chatty Siamese is not a good choice.

    It Enables Hoarding, Dog Fighting and Puppy Mills.  Those who breed animals illegally, fight them or hoard them-all at risk to the animal and society-may do so more easily under the radar by devocalizing.

  17. I appreciate this information. I understand there can be risks with this procedure. I also understand there are different ways to perform this procedure. Perhaps some are more risky than others. I want to make it clear that I was not trying to SILENCE my dog. Her barking was not due to fear or emotional distress. This dog loves to run after my other dogs and bark incessantly while she’s doing it. She also follows one particular dog around and just barks, barks, barks at her. I don’t understand the behavior and I tried what I could. Ultimately this just ends in my frustration, like a mother with children…you feel completely hopeless on some days!! Let me also add that this behavior started well after puppyhood. It started out great, no excessive barking at all. And, I can still hear my dog!!!! I will be able to hear her if she alerts me to an intruder or fire!!! She is NOT SILENT. I WANT to hear her, and I can, easily. She just doesn’t pierce my eardrums anymore.

    I am not a puppy mill. I am not hoarding dogs. I don’t breed dogs. I take good care of my dogs. They are my children. I give them the best care I can. I am considerate to my neighbors. And watching the recovery of both a voice softening and a spay, there is no comparison with the amount of discomfort the animal goes through. I felt SO BAD watching my dogs recovering from spay surgery. They were listless and in a lot of pain. They cried to get up and walk. The debarked dog never did that. She was completely fine. It is considered responsible to spay and neuter your pets. I do that. Are there not risks for bleeding and infection with a spay surgery as well? Have some animals not recovered from that surgery? You bet. But it’s okay to put them through it for the sake of responsible ownership. I just don’t understand this double standard.

  18. Justify it however you want, it’s still censorship. I have a large yard and my dogs enjoy running and playing in it. When my dog was well out of my reach and across the yard barking away, what choice to I have but to yell loud enough for her to hear me? What am I supposed to do? Keep her on a leash so I can get her attendion? Keep her inside? Now she can joyfully bark, I don’t have to alter her behavior, and nobody is annoyed. What about the risks involved with spaying and neutering? What about the risk involved with having a dog’s teeth cleaned? Both recommended by veterinarians. I have a friend whose dog did not survive a routine dental. You do not tolerate postings that disagree with yours. CENSORSHIP.

  19. to find support on a board that opposes voice softening, but I didn’t expect to be censored either. My intention was only to tell my story, to let the public know that this procedure is not the horrific and cruel procedure this group makes it out to be. Are there risks? Of course. Any kind of surgical procedure is a risk, regardless of how minor. Is it cruel? Not in my opinion. Do I have experience with this? Yes.

    Let me back up…twice in my life I found myself living next door to a barking dog. Let me tell you, laying in bed night after night after night after night listening to a dog bark is miserable. You become depressed and irrational due to lack of sleep. You just can’t enjoy life anymore. I vowed NEVER would I allow any of my dogs to EVER be an annoyance to my neighbors, and I haven’t.

    Most of the dogs I have owned since then have been wonderful. Never a problem with excessive barking…until this bundle of energy came into my life! She enjoys barking and I tried what I could to stop her, but I refused to get a shock collar or keep her in the house all day and all night. She loves to run and play and chase my other dogs. She has one particular dog that she incessantly barks at much of the time, and not just outside when they are running around. Unable to think of anything else that I could do, I opted for voice softening.

    I was VERY apprehensive about this, I didn’t just decide that this problem was to “messy” (as somebody put it) and simply opt for the easy way out. I was very nervous about having this done. After standing next to the vet and watching the process and seeing just how easy and uncomplicated it was, I felt a little bit better about my decision. In the days that followed, I felt completely confident that my decision was a good one. This little dog can still run and bark and enjoy herself, only now she doesn’t annoy the entire neighborhood when she does it. I can still hear her, she just doesn’t have an ear piercing shrill bark anymore.

    In my situation, I think this procedure was a reasonable alternative to the problem. I certainly did not want to give her away, or have her be in a house with no other dogs to play with, or have her wear a shock collar. That’s the extent of my story. It’s just my story. I’m not advocating that every dog be debarked. I’m not saying that things can’t go wrong. I suppose that they can. But that is the exception rather than the rule. I know other people who have had this done (they told me about it) and none of them have had problems. Groups that oppose this procedure will only feed you propaganda about how evil it is and how dangerous and painful and cruel it is and how it is simply for human convenience.

    Let’s consider spaying a female dog for a moment. That surgery is MUCH more invasive, much riskier and MUCH, MUCH more painful for the dog. Isn’t that done for human convenience as well? Isn’t this so we don’t have to put up with the “mess” of a female in heat? Isn’t this so we don’t have to be responsible for keeping the dog confined and under close watch when she is in heat? How is this surgery any different as far as the purpose?

    The truth is, it isn’t. It’s more acceptable to radical animal rights groups because they admit they would like to see the disappearance of companion animals all together, and I’m not ready to let them take away my right to own and love a dog or a cat. So, if they fight for mandatory spay and neuter laws, soon there will no longer be any dogs and cats in this country. As they say “it’s only one generation out”. I consider myself a responsible pet owner. I spay and neuter my pets because it’s the right thing to do, even though it breaks my heart to watch them recover from the surgery. I also think that in the case of my annoyance barker, I did the right thing as well.

    Just my opinion, and I wanted to share it with people considering voting for a bill to outlaw the procedure. It is my right to do that.

  20. lol ITA …..

    Debarking is just one more tactic that
    puppy peddlers use to keep their cruelty
    more hidden from the public/law enforcement.

    Dogs bark – imagine that. If you don’t like
    that they live, and bark, next door to you, then
    move.

    Simple as that.

    It was no accident that God created animals
    before mankind.

  21. Sooooo, if you had a child (which is what any companion animal essentially is, when you get down to it) that cried incessantly as an infant (keeping you up at night, disturbing the neighbors’ sleep, and so on) who then grew into a talkative person who just drove you CRAZY with all his/her vocalizations… would you take the same action and have them surgically silenced, or would you simply accept them as they are, love them unconditionally and change YOURSELF rather than changing them through such unnatural means?

    A companion animal is not a “thing” you bring into your home and then change to suit your whims, as you might, say, paint a table, prune a plant or reupholster a sofa. It is a living being that you have agreed, by virtue of adopting him/her into your home, to care for, protect and provide for. Cutting his/her vocal cords is in direct opposition to ALL of these obligations.

    Perhaps some people would do better with stuffed animals. I hear Winnie the Pooh is pretty popular…

  22. You are a SICKO!!! i think you need that procedure done to you, and then maybe you understand how that would feel remember what goes around comes around.

  23. Okay, I lived there first. The neighbors got a dog and before long, it was so woefully neglected, penned up in a small side yard, that it barked all day and all night, right outside my bedroom wall. And I’m supposed to move? I’m supposed to give up a house that I love and move all of my possessions to some other place because the neighbors are irresponsible dog owners? You have obviously not had this happen to you. Hopefully you never will.

  24. It’s not censorship to refuse to post your rants. This is a private organization. Not a government media outlet. They have their rules and if you want to post with them, you need to follow those rules.

    What you did to your dog was cruel. Anyone with any basic knowledge of dog behavior understands that yelling at a dog for barking only encourages more barking! You’re the head of the pack and your dog thought you were joining in her barking game! She did what a dog is supposed to do when you encouraged her by “barking” along. Then you punished her by cutting our her vocal cordS, without even trying to humanely train her!

    If anyone should be reprimanded, it’s not this site for “censoring” your cruel bragging, it’s you for mutilating an innocent creature that loves and trusts you!

  26. I cannot understand you! How is it that you didn’t think of calling the Humane Society or SPCA to repoet the plight of this poor abused/neglected dog living next door to you that you mention was penned up in a small cage? NO WONDER IT BARKED! It was crying out for HELP! An innocent cry for help that you ignored … as your only concern was that its barking was bothering you?! How typically human and selfish & self-centered! So how would devocalizing have helped this poor animal? That is even if the owners would have forked out the $$ to have it done, which obviously they would not have done so if they neglected the dog as you say. NO … I cannot see how this is or could ever be the answer to barking! No one seems to have mentioned this but has anyone considered the assistance of Animal Communicators to find out WHY the dog [any dog] might be barking constantly?

  27. I find this practice distasteful. Dogs and cats are entitled to communicate with their owners and between and within species. I think the problem with society is that we have forgotten how to be at one with nature. A well socialised dog through training and understanding of behaviour is far more appropriate than devocalsing them. This society makes me very sad. It seems to search for the easy route when the most sustainable one and one that would benefit human and animal – the most difficult is avoided. I think we have to look to ourselves to understand our animals behaviour. Our animals pick up on our energy and the more you shout the more excited they become. I have taught my cat to not use claws when she plays with me. It doesn’t take much training as animals learn very very fast. I don’t shout at her, I change my tone and refuse to play with her when claws are involved. She now knows that when the claws are out there is no play between us. Our relationship is fantastic, she talks to me so often and I would not want to change that for the least. I feel privileged that she considers me worthy of her attention and considers me to be one of her own. I would hate to put her through this surgery. In terms of her welfare I take my cues from her behaviour as to whether certain practices are good for her physically and psychologically than others. By carefully monitoring her behaviour and mine, we have finally been able to find a wonderful balance that works for both of us. She has a little routine, she has natural food only and has her own little outside area which she loves. We are sensitive to her needs but she has boundaries (like not using claws when playing).

    Lets not always look to our dog and cat and blame them for their behaviour. Yelling does nothing for animals or humans, its confusing for them if anything and gets them more excited. Lets sit down and ask ourselves the hard questions….what I am doing to contribute to this? How can I change this and understand animal behaviour? You will be surprised at how much you can learn by watching their behaviour and how much you can change their actions through your own. Not understanding animal behaviour, does not excuse deciding to devocalise. Animals deserve better from us if they are in our care.

    How can neutering be considered a double standard, when the consequences of unwanted pets is far worse. I suggest you watch the video earthling, you will see what I mean. Animals are gassed because euthanasia costs so much, it takes up to 20 mins for them to die. How is this humane then? Who are the beasts in this world? Not the animals but us homo sapiens. Lets take the time to understand and get back in touch with our animals and nature.

  28. First of all you should have hepled the dog that was neglected.
    Second of all please get of this blog becuase you are wasting your time.
    Nobody here will ever support what you have done.
    Someone wrote perhapse it was you ,that her dogs are her children?
    So I guess if your children were making loud noises all day long and sometimes at night you would take them to the doctor and have their vocal cords cut?
    I had more truoble with noise from children and adults as neighbours than any animal.
    Also thanks for taking us for stupid and think that we just take anything we are told at face value.
    Good going!!
    Please do us a favor and stop posting your cruel , insulting and ignorant comments.
    Thank you

  29. This is a wicked act… it’s like taking an opera singers voice away from her.. it is unbelievable.. Do not take away what God has given.

  30. What gives anyone the right to take away the precious voice of a cat or dog? Why do people think they are entitled to take a perfect animal and alter bits of it to suit themselves? There is no reason and no excuse for this cruel mutilation, it is disgusting and should be consigned to history now!

  31. This is a private blog, and the moderator has the right to remove postings that are contrary to the essence of the message of the blog.

  32. My dogs bark. And I have various methods to keep them from barking on an incessant basis. They have different barks for different reasons – there is a ‘happy bark’ when they see me approach; there is the ‘squirrel’ bark; there is the ‘intruder’ bark, and so on. I would never substitute that for the luxury of silence.

    If you cannot control your dog’s barking or you have too many dogs in one place (such as breeders), well, then consider taking lessons from those of us who have ‘somehow’ managed to stop the barking. Or perhaps you are overwhelmed with your number of dogs and should downsize.

    Don’t take out your inadequacies on the dogs and remove their voices. How extremely selfish of you to do such a thing.

    And, for anyone who complains about a neighbor’s dog barking, pick up the fone and call 911 – file a complaint and the neighbor will have to bring the noisy dog in (which is probably why the dog is barking in the first place!!)

    If that is too extreme, then pick up the fone and call your neighbor directly. Geesh, have we all lost any sense of living in a community??

  33. I agree with you totally about some dogs never “getting” the idea that they should not bark and bark and bark……sometimes for no reason. I have a dog who would bark at a leaf blowing in the wind. I have trained dogs in obedience and agility so it’s not like I do not know how to train a dog. Dogs bark….it’s what they do. Some bark way more than others and if you havn’t lived with a dog who incessantly barks you have no idea what it is like. My dog is not bored, she is taken out three times a day for runs at the park or beach besides going to classes for obedience and agility. All the training she has did not stop her barking. It got to the point my neighbors were starting to complain. I certainly did not want to give my dog up as she is a part of the family and well loved and well taken care of. If I wanted to keep my dog I had no choice but to debark her. Now she is still the same happy go lucky dog only her bark is much softer and easier to live with. My neighbors are very glad I did it. Spaying her was much much harder and painful on her than the debark. All I have to say to people who oppose debarking is if you havn’t lived in my shoes please don’t judge me.

  34. woof woof meooooooooooo twit twit moooooooooo baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa have some people gone mad how can one stop dog barking as then we all have to stop other animal making sound their sound are better than some people who talk rubbish out of there mounth. i would rather hear the animal sound than this logon law rubbish(get a life logan law or go back to your planet.)

  35. Hey, d, you’ve misread this. Logan’s Law will keep the dogs barking and the cats meowing. This law will stop people from devocalizing these animals for their own convenience but allow it if a vet certifies it’s a medical necessity.

    Please call Mass Judiciary committee members listed above today and urge them to pass H.B. 344 to prohibit devocalization of dogs and cats!

  36. This is ridiculous, what will they think of next? It seems like there is just a little too much (I want to control your life in this world). This is like saying it would be ok to do the same to a person that talks too much, and I’m sure we all know someone like that. But I think it would be just a tad bit unrealistic. I wish they would just leave our little critters alone, they are people to and they have just as many rights.
    I say LOGANS LAW IS A MUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  38. RE: “It would be nice to be able to train a dog not to bark, but everything that I tried with her did not work. She is a small terrier breed that loves to bark. It’s what they do. ”

    YES, THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT THEY DO! SO WHAT ON EARTH MADE YOU GET A BREED OF DOG THAT DOES EXACTLY WHAT YOU DON’T LIKE … TO BARK ? ? ?

    RE: “She enjoys barking…”

    SHE PROBABLY ENJOYS EATING TOO! ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE THAT RIGHT AWAY FROM HER TOO ? ? ?

    I’m sick to death of you people who think NOTHING of the animal’s well being AFTER THE SURGERY! She may be okay now, but mark my words, SCAR TISSUE HAPPENS!!! CUTTING OFF THE AIRWAY HAPPENS!!! CHOKING ON FOOD HAPPENS … ALMOST ALWAYS AFTER THIS KIND OF SELFISH SURGERY! YOU, MY FRIEND, AND ALL YOU OTHER DEVOCALIZERS, ARE SELFISH PEOPLE! YOU HAD NO BUSINESS GETTING A BARKY DOG IF YOU DON’T LIKE BARKING! DID YOU GET THE DOG BECAUSE OF IT’S OUTER BEAUTY ALONE? PITIFUL!

    You’ve also put people in danger of being bitten. ONE WAY DOGS COMMUNICATE IS THROUGH BARKING! How does a person know if your DEVOCALIZED dog is barking out … I WANT TO BE PATTED, OR … GET THE HELL AWAY FROM ME BEFORE I BITE YOU ? ? ?

    Now that your dog is DEVOCALIZED, did this quiet down the rest of the NOISE POLLUTION in your neighborhood? Are you going to have the couple next door DEVOCALIZED because you can’t stand their screaming at each other? What about the kid across the street with the 5 billion watt bass speakers in his car? DEVOCALIZE HIM just to teach him a lesson!

    “Until he extends the circle of compassion to all living things, Man will not himself find peace.” Dr. Albert Schweitzer

  39. YES, DOGS DO SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION!

    OH, OK, The next pets you get, DON’T spay or neuter them. Keep the pet population growing! The shelters are overcrowded as it is. But it’s ok, they’ll MURDER the amimals there the longest just to make room for your idiotic mistakes.

    GET A HAMSTER! THEY DON’T BARK! THEY CAN’T BREED IF YOU ONLY GET ONE. BUT BE SURE TO OIL IT’S WHEEL! WE WOULDN’T WANT YOU TO HAVE TO CUT OFF IT’S LEGS TO KEEP THE NOISY WHEEL SILENT!

    WTF PEOPLE!!! ? ? ?

  41. Boy am I glad I live in an enlightened and civilised country (UK) where debarking, declawing, tail docking and ear cropping is banned. I have 25 dogs, who bark occasionally. When they do, I go to see what they are barking for. They bark when they play or bark to warn me that something is wrong or someone is at the house. Mostly, they are quiet because they are content but if they bark, I know that something is bothering them. If I *did* have a nuisance barker, then there are other humane methods if you are too lazy to train your dog. You can get humane bark collars which spray citronella under the dog’s chin. They are safe, effective and humane.

  42. You are absolutely right dear. This is insane. Stop interfering in Nature or nature have its own rules and punishments. Stop doing such cruel things. Gog has given us such a beautiful world and we Humans are continuously working towards destroying it.

    online advertising | web design dubai

  44. Do people own a dog in the first place. It’s a dog’s natural instinct to bark, the same way a cat meows or any other animal makes a noise. It’s completely inhumane to debark a dog for your own benefits.

  45. ok, here is my problem, I adopted a 14 year old dog from the shelter to save his life. He is deaf, and partially blind. He barks loud and constantly when outside. The neighbors do not like the barking (this occurs when he is outside, which is very rarely without me present) He lives inside most of the time.

    He barks at shadows, at smells and at the movements he can see. I am home most of the time as I work from my home. He cannot hear well enough to do verbal to teach to stop, he cannot see well enough to use signs. I am allergic to citronella fragrance, so the citronella collar cannot be used. I am opposed to electric shock collars, as they seem inhumane. So training and collars are out.

    He cannot hear the ultrasonic device that I put in the yard, actually setting under it and barking.

    He is not bored, as I have another dog and they play together, and as I say, I am with him most of the time and spend a lot of time with him. (he is on my lap even as I type this!).There is nothing medically wrong with him either.I had him checked out to make sure he is not barking for illness or pain.

    So then, what should I do? I need help! I cannot afford to move as places in the country are beyond my ability to afford. Not many people are interested in adopting a dog this old. Animal control and police do not care about the dog being rescued, they only care about answering complaints.

    It seems then my choices are to either have the dog debarked or killed. Can someone give some idea?

  48. I am moving this up, because it did not show through on the other side

    I NEED HELP!

    Here is my other post

    On August 14th, 2009 Anonymous (not verified) says:

    ok, here is my problem, I adopted a 14 year old dog from the shelter to save his life. He is deaf, and partially blind. He barks loud and constantly when outside. The neighbors do not like the barking (this occurs when he is outside, which is very rarely without me present) He lives inside most of the time.

    He barks at shadows, at smells and at the movements he can see. I am home most of the time as I work from my home. He cannot hear well enough to do verbal to teach to stop, he cannot see well enough to use signs. I am allergic to citronella fragrance, so the citronella collar cannot be used. I am opposed to electric shock collars, as they seem inhumane. So training and collars are out.

    He cannot hear the ultrasonic device that I put in the yard, actually setting under it and barking.

    He is not bored, as I have another dog and they play together, and as I say, I am with him most of the time and spend a lot of time with him. (he is on my lap even as I type this!).There is nothing medically wrong with him either.I had him checked out to make sure he is not barking for illness or pain.

    So then, what should I do? I need help! I cannot afford to move as places in the country are beyond my ability to afford. Not many people are interested in adopting a dog this old. Animal control and police do not care about the dog being rescued, they only care about answering complaints.

    It seems then my choices are to either have the dog debarked or killed. Can someone give some idea?

  49. He often lays there for hours enjoying the relaxation he gets. I have adopted a 13 year old dog about 2 months ago and he seems cant get enough of my furniture. Its like his sense of release it makes my very happy to see my dog happy.

  50. He often lays there for hours enjoying the relaxation he gets. I have adopted a 13 year old dog about 2 months ago and he seems cant get enough of my furniture. Its like his sense of release it makes my very happy to see my dog happy.

    P.S. Ty for the post.

  51. I dont even know how anyone can abuse a animal. I sickens me to see animals sad/depressed. Come on people respect the animals that love you.

  52. I really enjoy seeing animals play. I have a 10 year old dog that is blind due to its previous owner. Now the dog is happier then ever, Nothing makes me more happy then to see my dog happy.

  53. Wow…you guys are right. I’ll get a shock collar instead. Hey, if people can be tazed by police for disobedience, I guess dogs can too. I think it’s MUCH more humane to constantly shock the animal rather than perform a demoralizing and heinous surgery. Thanks for the input.

  54. Dogs bark because they see something, hear something or are bored. To tie a dog out in a yard causes boredom and barking. To never take your dog for a walk or play with your dog causes boredom and barking. If you don’t want to hear any barking, don’t get a dog, you don’t deserve the love that a dog can give. You are are disgusting person and should have your vocal chords cut out and thrown in jail. Would you do that to a baby who continued to cry constantly. The dog is barking for a reason just as a baby is crying for a reason. Vets who perform debarking and declawing should lose their license. If you don’t want to take the time to teach a cat where to scratch, on a scratching post, don’t get a cat. If you are not willing to take the time to give a dog what they need (exercise, discipline, playtime), don’t get a dog! No one makes you get a dog or cat or any other animal!

  55. I would think those two options cannot be the only two, If you care enough about this dog you could find another home for this dog. Or better yet tell your neihbors to moveor mind there business, you dont complain when they have a party or crying baby.. The dog might not have long to live keep him happy, who knows if you did have the surgery if he would make it through… Its not fair to him…

  66. Why are cats being inculded in this? How much noise can a cat make? Devocalization of a dog is very, very cruel. There are more humane ways of getting a dog to quiet down. Also, I’m glad animals can’t talk. It’s fun when we see it in the movies but it’s best that we speak for them. After all, that’s all the fun of having pets. Since they can’t speak they also can’t understand so that is where we get the unconditional love from. I don’t have a dog so I can listen to him complain, that is what my wife is for.

  67. I am really saddened about this cruel fact. If I have seen neglecting acts such as not abiding Laws of Nature, I will definitely take action for this human insanities.

  68. I think the problem here is that you’re failing to see the moral philosophy behind this procedure. Most people on this blog are pro or part of the Animal Rights Movement. Animal Rights meaning that they have a right just like all living creatures including people. If you have the right to keep your voice, then so does you dog. If you have the right to live then so does your dog. If you respect your rights to be respected then you should also respect the right of others, including your dog’s right to be a dog. A dog barks and that’s the bottom line, the same way a human speaks, shouts, etc. A dog is born a dog and therefore denying him the right to be a dog it’s incredibly unjust to the dog. You may be kind to your neighbours and to yourselve by avoiding having to hear your dog barking, but you’re not doing this at your expense, you are doing this at the expense of a creature that doen’t have any say in the matter. If you believe that it’s ok to do that to a dog then you can also justify a person being denied their basic rights just because the person lacks the ability to understand what you’re asking him / her to do. Just because it’s not ilegal for you to devocalized your dog, it doesn’t mean that your moral values should not stop you from doing this. You seem like a good person that just fails to see what is essentially morally worng with this procedure and like some people it seems to me like you think that just because something is legal it makes it morally ok to do. Laws are created by people based on their values and ethics, but you should never limit your morals and values to the boundaries of the laws and legislations. Your moral are what define you as a person and if you fail to realise that denying your dog the right to be a dog, then you cannot expect people to respect your right to express yourself either. How can you expect people to respect your rights if you are in fact violating the rights of those that you care about (your dog)?

    From what I can gather from your post, you seem to love your dog, but you’re not recognizing that fact that as a animal he too has rights like you and me have the right to express our views.

    Your argument can be extended to the point where it can justify killing an animal because it is an inconvenience to those around it. I’m not implying that that is what you are doing or are trying to say, because as I said, you seem like a good person that loves your dog, but I could use a few of the points you’re making to actually inflict suffering on a living creature and justify it, but it would not make my act morally correct. The same way, you cannot be against animal cruelty and at the same time deny your dog one of it’s most basic rights which is the right to be a dog and lets face it, barking is a big part of being a dog.

  69. I think the problem here is that you’re failing to see the moral philosophy behind this procedure. Most people on this blog are pro or part of the Animal Rights Movement. Animal Rights meaning that they have a right just like all living creatures including people. If you have the right to keep your voice, then so does you dog. If you have the right to live then so does your dog. If you respect your rights to be respected then you should also respect the right of others, including your dog’s right to be a dog. A dog barks and that’s the bottom line, the same way a human speaks, shouts, etc. A dog is born a dog and therefore denying him the right to be a dog it’s incredibly unjust to the dog. You may be kind to your neighbours and to yourselve by avoiding having to hear your dog barking, but you’re not doing this at your expense, you are doing this at the expense of a creature that doen’t have any say in the matter. If you believe that it’s ok to do that to a dog then you can also justify a person being denied their basic rights just because the person lacks the ability to understand what you’re asking him / her to do. Just because it’s not ilegal for you to devocalized your dog, it doesn’t mean that your moral values should not stop you from doing this. You seem like a good person that just fails to see what is essentially morally worng with this procedure and like some people it seems to me like you think that just because something is legal it makes it morally ok to do. Laws are created by people based on their values and ethics, but you should never limit your morals and values to the boundaries of the laws and legislations. Your moral are what define you as a person and if you fail to realise that denying your dog the right to be a dog, then you cannot expect people to respect your right to express yourself either. How can you expect people to respect your rights if you are in fact violating the rights of those that you care about (your dog)?

    From what I can gather from your post, you seem to love your dog, but you’re not recognizing that fact that as a animal he too has rights like you and me have the right to express our views.

    Your argument can be extended to the point where it can justify killing an animal because it is an inconvenience to those around it. I’m not implying that that is what you are doing or are trying to say, because as I said, you seem like a good person that loves your dog, but I could use a few of the points you’re making to actually inflict suffering on a living creature and justify it, but it would not make my act morally correct. The same way, you cannot be against animal cruelty and at the same time deny your dog one of it’s most basic rights which is the right to be a dog and lets face it, barking is a big part of being a dog.

  70. Actually, animals DO talk. We just don’t speak their language. Just like not every human understands another person’s language from a foreign country!

  72. Speaking as a canine rescuer. The devocalization of animals is barbaric and inhumane, I sure hope this law passes. I am disgusted with the Vets who are opposing this law because it will cut into their profits, those are the kind of Vets everyone should keep their pets away from as it’s obvious they are just in the business to make money! Everyone in MA, PLEASE call your Reps and ask them to vote YES on this very important bill to save animals from having to go through this horrible, barbaric procedure!!

  73. I can’t understand either the people who devocalize and the vets who do it.
    I would be so sad if my cats didn’t greet me with their meowing or if I couldn’t listen to the hauntingly beautiful howling of my Siberians.
    Maybe they should buy a ceramic dog or cat, because it’s obvious they don’t want a living being communication his feelings through their voice.

  74. How would all of you lijke it if we took your voice away. This proceedure is cruel,inhumane and unnessarsary. There are training techniques to teach your dog not to bark. Whay cats they hardly make and sound. If this is allowed to pass then others like this will follow. This must be stopped

  75. I am so lost with what people do. It does not stand for anything to devocalise an animal, to mutilate or torture. No other reason than control.
    Give me someone who does this, and give me a big juicy surgical knife…nah lets make it a blunt rusty one…and I’ll seriously show them how devocalisation feels. Remember animal hackers…what you do is irrepairable and irrepalcable to another being…Really, animal hurters were not supposed to have been born ever…you’re unwanted freaks…that’s why you inflict pain on others. Oh and that goes for owners who choose to mutilate beings who have no say…”Yes! sure please boss! I would love you to rip out my voice so I can never express vocal emotion ever again. Why would you do the to me boss? So you can sleep well at night.”

  76. RESPONSIBLE dog ownership would entail not disfiguring the natural anatomy of your animal for peace and quiet. The only thing your right about is that your dog IS happier- that it doesn’t have to hear you constantly yelling at her. The fact is, there is no need to make sides of the matter because you feel you are the exception to the rule in this issue. If you want to have an equal understanding in “both sides”, why don’t you get devocalized, and I’ll tell you how the surgery was simple and painless, and you are much happier today because no animal will be nuissanced by your yelling orders instead of being a TRUE responsible owner by training, rehabilitating, and compassionately loving your animals whole-heartedly. I sincerely hope for the sake of the genetic pool, and the world, that people like you don’t have children. May I remind you, when you were in diapers CRYING and WHINING, no one considered devocalizing you so they didn’t have to listen.

  78. Now that your dog is DEVOCALIZED, did this quiet down the rest of the NOISE POLLUTION in your neighborhood? Are you going to have the couple next door DEVOCALIZED because you can’t stand their screaming at each other? What about the kid across the street with the 5 billion watt bass speakers in his car? DEVOCALIZE HIM just to teach him a lesson! seo – orlando airport transportation

  80. People may not realize a dog is about to bite or attack, for example, because the dog has not barked, and because he has been debarked or silenced, can only make a wheezy, rasping sound. A dog that cannot bark also cannot signal danger to family members, for example, from an intruder or a fire.

  81. I think any kind of censorship is not well regarded. Some countries take these medidades to block content and is not really sustainable that situation, especially in an interactive environment such as the Internet. By developing some projects (otimização de sites, desentupidora, iluminação, acompanhantes sp, transportadora, relogio de ponto, dentista) and make them available on the Internet also had problems with censorship in other countries that more radical still, not only criticized the termination of the domain but any site originating from a particular IP. So I am in favor of freedom and release access to any content, provided of course that is legal.

  84. With all these puppy mill stories and sick stories going around. Pet land is being sued for buying from puppy mills. The fact of the matter is the Pets are People too working together with Teacupspuppies and Dog boutique are also buying from puppy mills. It’s time to take a stand and let the world know. The rumor is that they lost over fifteen (15) dogs last year from parvo in a short time. They also breed from their home. These girls are trying to hide behind their fancy dog collars and fancy dog clothing. They have stacks of dogs hiding in the back. They only have several in the front to confuse the customers. Where can I turn to picket them and do a protest against them.

    Teacupspuppies

  87. Vets who perform debarking and declawing should lose their license. If you don’t want to take the time to teach a cat where to scratch, on a scratching post, don’t get a cat. If you are not willing to take the time to give a dog what they need (exercise, discipline, playtime),

  90. nice post…if animals could only speak,,,we would understand more their attitudes…they are just like humans..they have the emotions just like us..anyways,,thanks for sharing..

  93. The Law
    “More typically, surgical devocalizing or silencing is a cruel, inhumane act done for the convenience of the owner. It does not address the problem causing the barking such as stress, fear, loneliness, frustration, illness, injury, poor socialization, lack of training, and instead is akin to cutting the vocal chords of a noisy child. ”

    Devocalization may make your neighborhood quieter. But it also makes it more dangerous.

    Rollenspiele

  94. Hi, the rule is very much helpful for animals. Now a days human beings are cruel with animals for food and entertainment. These kind of laws can create awareness. Hope for the best.

  95. This is the first time I have heard about devocalization and it is really an animal abuse as I look at it! It is never the solution to keep your dog from barking or from any nuisance. Doing this to your pet is like killing them. I totally agree with Dennis Oakley that owners who are sending their dogs for a devocalization merely just dump them afterward. Most of these dogs ended up for adoption.

    When I see the picture of the dog having the mark of the surgery on his throat, it really made me so sad and so angry at owners who are doing this to them. How I wish they can be put into jail. This is really an abuse! This is not acceptable!

  96. I too was in your position, only I had 6 dogs, all herding breeds, natural barkers, and a neighbor who called the police and animal control every day, she was going to take me to court, my dogs would have been taking to a kill shelter. I had them debarked by a responsible vet, no scarring, no pain, no coughing or other problems. They still bark only much quieter so no more complaints. I do not feel guilty in the least, my dogs are alive, healthy and happy. I did not see your post until today, I know it’s a year after you wrote but I hope you have found a solution. I think most of the people condemning this do not have to face this problem. Best of luck to you..

  97. I am very against of pets cruelty. I want to share my experience with you, I have two pet, one is dog and other one is cat. If you came to my home, you will find that both are true friends. Even I follow some good organizations whose main work to protect animal. I am vegetarian also, appeal to world become vegetarian. So, that we will decrease animal killing. According to me eating Flesh is a barbaric ritual.

    PC Fix with online live pc fix support help

  98. this bill should have been passed a long time ago!
    It’s really time that animals should be given rights and attention!

    Human coexists with he world, therefore, it is our duty to take care of everything within this world!

    md5 decrypt

  99. When I watched the video regarding the devocalization of the dog, I was nearly crying. People who are doing this to the dogs really are criminals. They may not be directly killing them but by putting them to surgery in order to devocalize, they are killing really killing them. Hope that this new bill/rule now will take effect and ban devocalization to dogs.

  101. It’s so sad that animals have to continue to suffer because of how stupid we have become. If you don’t want a loud animal, don’t get one in the first place. It’s that simple, yet so many people continue to buy animals from mall pet stores without caring what may happen to the animal if they cannot take care of it. People need to start taking responsibility for their actions and that includes pets. Barking can be reduced by simply providing good training and structure for the dog. I hope that more states if not the federal government passes this as a law.

  104. I think the world community has to come together to stop the abuse and exploitation of animals. We have a United Nations to deal with international human rights abuses. Why can’t it extend to the animals too? farmville cash

  105. When I see the picture of the dog having the mark of the surgery on his throat, it really made me so sad and so angry at owners who are doing this to them. How I wish they can be put into jail. This is really an abuse! This is not acceptable!Louis Vuitton Handtaschen

  106. I do not understand how someone could possibly treat animals in this manner. We should do everything in our power to help animals that have gone through this and to bring justice to animal abusers. We must take action to do what is right. Thanks for using your blog to bring awareness to this, lauren. You are greatly appreciated.

  108. It is absurd where human brutality can get. The worst is that exixtem cultures that endorse this kind of attitude. In my opinion is a regression!

  109. We live in the 21st century and this is unforgivable atrocities. Crimes against any kind of animal should be considered anywhere felony with maximum penalty.

  111. Why are cats being inculded in this? How much noise can a cat make? Devocalization of a dog is very, very cruel. There are more humane ways of getting a dog to quiet down. Also, I’m glad animals can’t talk. It’s fun when we see it in the movies but it’s best that we speak for them. After all, that’s all the fun of having pets. Since they can’t speak they also can’t understand so that is where we get the unconditional love from. I don’t have a dog so I can listen to him complain, that is what my wife is for.@ Detox Foot Patch conceive a baby iklan percuma

  113. I live in CT and about 2 1/2 years ago we rescued a 2 1/2 year old Newfoundland. My dog and several others came from a breeder who was talked into giving up her dogs by rescue. When Porter came to us he did not know his name, was not housebroken and had never been inside a house. Shortly after he came to us we discovered that he had been de-barked by this horrible breeder. We also found out she had done this to several of her dogs. When Porter tore his acl and had surgery the vet discovered that because of the de-barking Porter’s windpipe was 50% blocked. A month after his acl surgery he had surgery to repair the unnecessary damage done by this breeder (and unknown vet). Fotunately Porter is doing remarkably well now. I never remembered hearing him breathe so quietly. I am interested in lobbying to make this illegal in CT. Any ideas on where to begin?

  115. A dog should only go visiting and playing with another dog on the say so of the owner and not just because it is in a play group. I would much rather see obedience class or social get together where the dogs have to sit near their owners and behave. Far better for the dogs.

    * sex toys

  116. I just want to appeal whole world for stop exploitation of animal in any way. So, be vegetarian and don’t eat the flesh of any animal. Thanks and hats off for a stunning work. Keep posting good work.keylogger

  117. I do not understand how someone could possibly treat animals in this manner. We should do everything in our power to help animals that have gone through this and to bring justice to animal abusers. We must take action to do what is right. Thanks for using your blog to bring awareness to this, lauren. joaca la casino astazi You are greatly appreciated.

  120. I’m aware of this practice and how unbelievably cruel it is; my concern is that by allowing it when “medically necessary” it will provide a loophole for it to be done anyway at least on a small scale basis. How could it be proven that it wasn’t medically necessary. Medical necessity has been and still is used successfully to justify mutilation done to human beings. For this law to really put a stop to the practice there need to be more safeguards to close up this possibility. I can’t even remember the last time I heard of a dog or cat having to be devocalised because it was medically necessary.

Comments are closed.