Dog debarking policy raises activists' howls of protest

The American Veterinary Medical Association opposes legislation that will make this procedure illegal. Their official position on bark softening is: (Approved by the AVMA Executive Board June 2002; reaffirmed April 2008; oversight: Animal Welfare Committee) Canine devocalization should only be performed by qualified, licensed veterinarians as a final alternative after behavioral modification efforts to correct excessive vocalization have failed. So, here we have the predominant veterinary medical association saying exactly what proponents of bark softening have been saying for years; bark softening is a valid alternative to dealing with excessive barking in dogs when other forms of training have failed. More importantly, I have been involved in breed rescue for several decades and had many owners contact me regarding problems with excessive barking; more than a few were facing citations and/eviction. When conventional training methods failed, I referred owners to veterinarians skilled in performing this procedure and in each case, the person was able to keep their dog.

Devocalization is a misnomer, since dogs who undergo this quick, simple procedure can still bark, just not as loudly. The dog is lightly anesthetized and the vet does down the throat and makes one or two SMALL notches in the vocal folds, using a biopsy punch, cautery tool or laser (the last two result in absolutely NO bleeding). As I have personally seen this procedure done, I can attest to the technique with far more accuracy than the alarmists who are pushing to make this procedure illegal. Groups like the Animal Law Coalition post a document on their website claiming that vets who don't do bark softening have the expertise to comment on complications. Also, they rebut the claim that bark softening helps prevent dogs from being surrendered to shelters as bark softened dogs can be found in shelters. While I agree with this assertion, one must also point out that they are almost certainly not being turned in because of the barking. Excess barking is only one reason why dogs are surrendered to shelters and not the leading reason. In discussing bark softening, it’s important to discuss canine communication since the emotional cry of “taking away a dog’s voice” is a major component in the misleading information spouted by AR groups in an effort to sway the general public. Barking is only one type of canine communication and in fact, not the major means used. Dogs communicate with body language, smell and a series of yips and growls that bark softened dogs are capable of, even following the surgery. All surgeries have inherent risks that include infection and hemorrhage. While difficulty breathing, chronic gagging or difficulty eating/swallowing can occur, the incidence is extremely rare. When compared to spay/neuter surgery, the risk of complications is significantly less and the side effects infinitesimally lower.

but as with anything else, people will use this as the easy solution rather than attempting to train their animals because God forbid that take any effort on their part...

GSDlady...in the instance you mentioned...if it was used as an ABSOLUTE last resort so the owner didn't have to give up the animal, tried training and everything else, and so the animal did not have to be euthed, then...ok, i can see your point

they should use this devocalizatio on these activists and peta. lol!!! ;>

The AVMA will hopefully ignore this pathetic attempt to tell all dog owners how to care for their dogs. Owners facing this decision have usually tried every other resource to keep their pet from annoying their neighbors. Ordinarily it's NOT the pet owner who minds the barking. It's neighbors, home owner associations, etc. An owner who faces this decision truly loves their animal and wants to keep it. Most people just drop them at the shelter or take them out to the woods. Who can say which is crueler? The AVMA needs to ignore this petition and let each veterinarian look at cases based on their relationship with the owner and knowledge of the dog's situation. Not everything needs to be legislated!

Absolutely NOT! That'd be like people asking parents to devocalize bratty whiny kids. Like secure1 said, if you can't handle a dog barking then do not get a dog.

if you can't handle dog barking, don't get a dog. most likely there are some who would like to shut you the hell up too! ugh!!! HUMANS ARE SO IGNORANT!!!!!