Animal Rights - Teenager Taking a Stand against Vocal Surgery

Thank you Terry. I am very pleased that this story has had such a personal impact for you. Thank you also for the incredible photos.

kudos to jordan star. i cannot imagine my dog - or any other animal - without her voice even though at times it is difficult to stop her from voicing her opinion or concern. thank you for the story.

It's nice to see someone so young having a "voice" on this.

To bad most owners don't have the time needed for dogs, and don't have the time to train them either.

Want to emphasize this is done to cats as well. Not as much for sure but still it is the case.

I am shocked at what we "intelligent" humans are capable of. The very thought of coining the word "debarking" is humiliating enough.

Taking some creatures' voice away is so low, I feel utterly shameful. All creatures have rights. Thanks to everyone who brought this to light. Shameful act.

Sad to see so much misinformation here. The debarking bill is not what it seems, not a straightforward, be-kind-to-animals law, but part of a coordinated national campaign by out-of-state animal rights organizations, which do not believe people should own pets at all. This bill relies on emotion and lack of knowledge to influence people, because the surgery is so rare that most people and even most vets don’t know about it.

Facts: Debarking saves lives. A more accurate name is bark softening. It is a last resort that should be available for dog owners when training methods fail. Many dogs cannot be trained to stop barking, not when they are bored or lonely but when they are having fun. This proposal would kill many pets, which would have to be euthanized or taken to shelters because of neighbor complaints and Animal Control citations. Devocalization is never done on cats at all. As for dogs, no one makes the decision lightly, but it is not cruel. It’s very minor surgery, done under anesthesia by a vet, through the mouth, only takes a minute, and does not remove the vocal chords, merely making a nick in them. The dogs are not silent, just much quieter. They go back to playing and barking the same day and do not seem to realize they are debarked. They bark just as much, but now they are happier because they are not constantly punished for it. It’s not done just for convenience. And, anyway, if we’re criticizing convenience, why allow neutering, major invasive surgery with serious potential side effects, when all that owners need to do is keep their dogs home while they are in season?

This bill makes it abundantly clear how important it is to understand subjects before voting on them.

Thank you, Bonnie C, for reading and commenting and sharing your alternate opinion on the subject.

I'm so glad to see that people understand how bad devocalization is. If any of you want to help please send me your email and name and I can add you to an e-alert list. And FYI Bonnie C, I've seen that you've posted that exact message on every bulletin about the bill.

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Devocalizaion is absolutely horrible! Dogs bark, and they should NEVER be surgically altered for that! You’d want your dog to be able to bark if someone was robbing your house or your house was on fire. To put a dog or cat through this procedure is horrible, the risks are numerous, ranging from infection to airway obstruction. People who devocalize say this is a simple procedure, tell that to the Pomeranian who choked to death after being devocalized and the dog who bled through his nose, ears, and mouth and choked on his own blood during and after a devocalization surgery. And for what, nothing, not even the guarantee of a secure home. Devocalized dogs are given up just like any other, some to shelters supporting this bill. The inspiration for this bill came from a devocalized dog in a shelter, contrary to what people opposing the bill have said, like this is part of a nationally organized campaign to stop people from having pets (even though I have a dog?). I have read so many times, devocalization is the only way I can breed shelties, and things like that, my question is then, why have shelties if they’re naturally noisy? Is that responsible, to have a breed predisposed to bark a lot , and then cut his vocal cords? ABSOLUTELY NOT, that is not responsible at all. This bill will promote responsible pet ownership by eliminating this horrible procedure only for human convenience and profit.

Im glad that you have found yourself something to stand up for, however I cannot agree with your proposal to make debarking illegal. I have had many dogs over 20 years often finding them new homes with good suited owners, however i belive that there is always an exception to the well trained dog rule. Some dogs just dont learn not to bark and in my case i curently have the worlds sweetest most loveble dog who loves babies and cats and all other dogs, however he barks at Everything! He did not always live with us and his previous owner lived alone and encouraged him to bark at every little noise because she didnt feel safe unless anyone who aproached her or her home knew that this big barking dog lived there.  After the dog is trained TO bark its nearly impossible to train him NOT TO. Professional trainers, shaken cans of change, water squirters, sonic antibark machines , and even shock collars have done nothing to deter this dog. He gets plenty of excersize and isnt lonely, hes well fed and sleeps on the couch, hes pampered as far as a dogs life gos. He lived 2 1/2 years with his first owner and 3 with us and with all our efforts we have been unable to curb his barking.We love our dog but his barking disturbs our neighbours, wakes our baby and encourages our other dogs to bark as well. I feel that though id never give him up to a shelter and the thought of having him painfully zapped by a bark collar 300 times a day( thats how much he barks) kills me to the point that debarking may be the only option left in order to coexist with this dog for another 10 years or so that he is with us. I wish there was an easier way but for people like me who have run out of options,  i hope that your bill doesnt go through, because if it does many more pets will end up in shelters from people who unfortunatly end up with a dog like mine who dispite the incessant barking are really good dogs. I hope that bark softening is only used as a last resort to people who love their pets and would rather live with them than with out them .As an owner we still have that right to know whats best for them, dont take away a right that could save so many lives.

I have a sheltie that is very well trained.  I have had him for 9 years and he follows every command except for QUIET.  We have spent thousands on a top of the line trainer, vet bills and medications for what may be the "underlying" problems.  He still barks.  My wife and I have tried everything and after 9 years are at the end of our rope.  We have a baby on the way and are looking at our options.  Bark softening seems to be the way to go.  I can probably say that anybody who is for this bill does not get woken up throughout the night by shrill, high pitched barking for NO reason at all.  When they are relaxing on the couch, their dog doesn't bark just because he hears a plane go by or for any other reason.  If we can't find a way to quiet his barking, we will have to give him up to a sheltie rescue.  My wife has already contacted them.  Who wants to risk just putting a newborn down to sleep, only to have him jolted back awake by shrill excessive barking?  We have done all of the "humane" options, vets, medical exams, training and medication and this seems like our last option.  Besides, what's more inhumane, softening his bark and keeping him in the family or sending him to a rescue and taking the only family and everything that he's ever known in his entire 9 year life away from him and "hoping" that someone else can find it in their hearts to take him?