The debarking bill is not what it seems. It looks like a straightforward, be-kind-to-animals law, but it is actually part of a coordinated national campaign by animal rights organizations, which do not believe people should own pets at all. Laws should be based on knowledge and fact, but this proposal relies on emotion and lack of knowledge to influence people, because the surgery is so rare that most people and even most vets are not informed 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 so much when they are bored or lonely but much more 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 is very minor surgery done under anesthesia, through the mouth (like tonsillectomy), only takes a minute, and does not remove the vocal chords, merely making a nick in them. It is much less invasive than spaying or neutering. The dogs are not silent, just much quieter. They resume their normal activities 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 is not drug dealers who are debarking dogs, it is pet owners with breeds that bark a lot, especially shelties, collies, terriers, small dogs. The protection breeds do not bark as much and are more easily trained to be quiet, and the myth that they are debarked so that they will attack silently is untrue. And, by the way, military dogs are routinely bark softened, what about them? They could not get special permits because this bill would mean that there would be no veterinarians who know how to do the surgery any more. This bill makes it abundantly clear how important it is to understand subjects before voting on them.

Bonnie breeds Shelties, which are predisposed to hypervocalize. They bark a lot; it's in their DNA. Don't like it? Don't get one. And for heaven's sake, don't breed them!

Some breeders debark dogs so they can operate their businesses close to neighbors, including quiet residential suburbs of Boston!!! Others live by the philosophy that "dogs are my property to treat any way I deem fit."

Get a clue, Bonnie: Dogs are sentient beings, just like you. They feel physical pain, just like you. They suffer emotional pain, just like...well, maybe more than you.

Big difference is they love you unconditionally--and entrust their wellbeing to you. Cutting their vocal cords, whether with a forceps or a scalpel, just for your profit or an irresponsible pet owner's convenience, betrays that trust.

Would you want it done to you? An animal hurts no less than you do.

Bonnie breeds Shelties, which are predisposed to hypervocalize. They bark a lot; it's in their DNA. Don't like it? Don't get one. And for heaven's sake, don't breed them!

Some breeders debark dogs so they can operate their businesses close to neighbors, including the quiet residential suburbs of Boston. Others live by the philosophy that "dogs are my property to treat any way I deem fit." They, not drug dealers, are the main culprits in ordering a surgery respected animal hospitals like Boston's acclaimed Angell Memorial and ethical vets refuse to perform because it IS painful and risky, with NO benefit for the animal.

And, duh, if there weren't a lot of dogs being debarked, breeders like Bonnie wouldn't be fighting the bill as ferociously as they are.

Get a clue, Bonnie: Dogs are sentient beings, just like you. They feel physical pain, just like you. They suffer emotional pain, just like...well, maybe more than you.

Big difference is they love you unconditionally--and entrust their wellbeing to you. Cutting their vocal cords, whether with a forceps or a scalpel, just for your profit or an irresponsible pet owner's convenience, betrays that trust.

Would you want it done to you? An animal hurts no less than you do. And, oh yeah, though less often than dogs, cats are devocalized too. Dr. Nicholas Dodman wrote of one in The Cat Who Cried for Help.

People should not own pets periods. All animals should be outdoors, in the country and in the case of ownership, have their own lodgings and distances from annoying neighbors. Why pet owners see what they are doing as anything other than not so thinly veiled form of slavery is astonishing. Most of us were brought up to believe that housepets are adorable, that zoos are wonderful. The reality behind this is that housepets have overall serious hell and psychological issues from being cooped up in homes all day long, being denied outdoors and its combined activities and are expected to grin and bear it.

It is naive and irresponsible to own pets in any city or suburban space and we need to educate ourselves about animals' rights--not what we think they want, but what they want and need.

Bark softening saves dogs lives in some cases.
I do rescue and debarking has helped a half a dozen people this past year to be able to keep their dogs instead of them being turned into and killed in shelters.
Debarking is an easy procedure through the mouth, like a tonsilectomy for a child. The vocal cord is "notched" just enough to quiet the back. We do not rip the vocal cords out!!! The dogs can still bark they just are not as loud as if not debarked. They are happy animals afterwards because they can run and chase squirrels and bark their heads off and not be bothering the neighbors.
Darla Duffey

Training is always the first thing that should be done. Sometimes nothing works, when that happens bark softening may be the only alternative left to save the dog and the neighbors.

Bark softening is a minor procedure. It properly involves a simple biopsy punch in the vocal chords. Vocal chords are not removed. The dog is not "mutilated" and it is up and barking within hours. The dog can bark, whine, and vocalize, just more softly.

Bark softening is not cruel. The procedure is done under anesthesia. While spay and neuter are major surgeries, debark is a minor surgery. Dogs recover quickly.

First an introduction: My name is Sue & I breed Shelties (Shetland Sheepdogs) and it is correct that barking is in their DNA. It is this that makes training them to not bark is almost always an exercise in futility. Now for my soapbox.

It really disturbs me to read where people have been so brain washed by the Animal Rights groups. Wake up people - God (who/whatever you believe Him to be) gave man dominion over the animals. Yes, there are people cruel to their animals - the same as there are parents that are cruel to their children. Do we propose that all children at birth be set out in the Great Outdoors to fend for themselves? Of course not!!! Nor should we do so with animals. Man has enjoyed a long standing relationship with dogs & cats for eons - and all specie have prospered.

Yes, debarking is really bark softening by using a biopsy tool through the mouth to remove a small bit of tissue from both sides. As the dogs wake, many go out in their yards and bark their heads off!! As far as they are concerned, all is right with their world!! And all around them are happy also.

As for dogs dieing during the procedure, in the past a rare few did bleed to death (yes, 1 is too many) But much has been learned about canine blood so that if a dog is of a certain breed, tests can determine if the dog might be a bleeder. This benefits the owner, the vet &, most of all, the dog!!!

But the most ridiculous part of this proposed law clearly shows how little those in favor of it have studied the situation. Cats do not get debarked!!!!! Do your homework people - Once you have gotten all the true facts not emotions, then study the bill. More than likely you will not support this bill or any others that limit the rights of people to make decisions for their animals - their property

I also own Shelties, which, as previously mentioned, bark a lot. They bark for normal doggy things like: alerting me to things (especially helpful when you live alone, or camp/backpack alone), letting me know when they need to potty outside, and out of sheer joy (like when we do agility or play ball in the back yard). They also bark at quirky things: the hair dryer (not when it's being used on them, but when I'm using it), the vacuum, the kettle and the phone (which are often very helpful when I am up stairs and unable to hear the kettles softened whistle). I have NEVER had my dogs barking complained about. (Because I do not allow them to bark incessantly outside: they are not let out in my FENCED YARD unattended EVER, and if they're barking too much while playing, even after I've asked them to be quiet, the game ends).
I am NOT an uneducated, unintelligent dog owner. I have my associates degree in animal care and have worked for 6 years as a trainer/trainers assistant. I also worked for two years as a grooming assistant, and this is my first year working at a veterinary clinic. My dogs know more vocabulary than most 5 year old children, and are both CGC (canine good citizen from the AKC) and TDI (Therapy Dog International) certified. They have been on trains, ski-gondolas, kayaking, and have traveled to several states. I have been told that they were better behaved than most children in quite a few of those situations.
I am not mentioning all of this to just brag about my girls. I wonder what I (and other people who may find themselves in similar situations) to do when I can no longer live in my single home, but must move into an apartment? If, at that point, my dogs are still vocal indoors, and we start getting complaints by neighbors who we are now only seperated by a wall (instead of a yard)? Should I make them wear SHOCK anti-bark collars?? Dont you think that wearing a collar that delivers CONSISTANT pain to my dog is less humane, and more painful than a ONE TIME surgical procedure that they recovery quickly from? Or am I to just surrender my two dogs? The two angels who have seen me through the death of a parent and crippling heart disease??
I was just curious what the "animal advocates" out there would tell me to do. In fairness, no, I would not bark-soften my dog unless it was absolutely neccessary. I have owned Shelties for almost 15 years...(and no I do NOT breed: I have only ever owned females, and ALL have been altered) I am not willing to give up my love for the breed because they are "talkative". And Im sure that collie, terrier and toy breed owners out there are agreeing with me.

This is misinformation. Dogs do bark at times out of sheer pleasure and joy. Some breeds are much more "talkative" than others. This is annoying to neighbors; and debarking solves this issue. It is in no way cruel. I have had multiple dogs debarked for quiet and for caring about my neighbors. This is something that requires minor surgery (certainly not as invasive as spay/neuter). My dogs came home a few hours later, happily jumped in their areas and ate their meals--no DISTRESS. They continue to bark; it is just softened and not annoying. If this dog was abandoned, how does this teen know the "history" of an abandoned dog? I doubt he does. While this is another of those warm & fuzzy sounding laws, this is an issue for each dog owner and their veterinarian to decide. We don't need Big Brother involved in the dog world unless it involves cruelty. This is not cruelty; it is being conscientious in today's crowded world. Many of us still want our pets without causing undue stress to others. This law is unnecessary and should not be considered.

Animal rights activists are pushing this notion that bark softening is some painful procedure. What they fail to tell you as they mouth off about bark softening is that what they demand with mandatory spay and neuter is much more serious and life threatening surgery than bark softening. Why is it that they are willing to force every dog and cat into major surgery even though their owners don't let them roam or breed? Why is it necessary in their view for your pet to risk such invasive and life altering surgery to satisfy their supposed concerns about animals. This is just more cult thinking from animal rights activists who blindly follow HSUS. Beware of these people as they do not care about animals and even less about humans. One of their notions is that as soon as human beings reach the age of 75 they should commit sucide to save the planet. You think these people care about animals or humans then know that HSUS just killed 127 healthy dogs in North Carolina 60 of which were new born puppies by playing the race card. Yes, I said the race card because according the HSUS some breeds of dogs are born bad. We thought this type of thinking went out with World War II and the Nazis, but they are back in the guise of Wayne Pacelle of HSUS who states the following goal for this cult, "One generation and out. We have no problems with the extinction of domestic animals. They are creations of human selective breeding." Well that is not true, we know that 3000 years ago dogs chose to come and live with humans. We did not enslave them but we are enslaved by them, as we are the ones who feed, care, love and keep them safe. Not the HSUS or PETA people who are so busy going about killing every animal they can get their hands on. Do not believe these people or anyone who supports HSUS or PETA as they intend to kill off domestic animals. Why you ask? Well any number of inane ideas one of which is that domestic animals are some how responsible for global warming. They want you to eat vegan even though as a species we are ominvores and many people become gravely ill from eating grains. We get our most efficient and best protein from animal meat. Many children die from lack of protein in this world and there are millions of people who cannot eat grain at all. Celiac's disease is not really a disease because it is only caused by eating gluten. We humans are designed for getting our protein from meat not grain or vegetables. You don't hear about meat allergies, but who hasn't heard about wheat or corn allergies. In America whe have the right to choose our lives and what we eat. Do not allow this cult to take over our food supply because they intend to kill all domestic animals by making them too expensive to raise or buy.

Bark softening is a minor procedure that takes less than 1/2 hour. The vocal cords are not mutilated; the dog comes home and barks -only softer. This procedure is a blessing to those dogs that bark at leaves as they fall, birds overhead and everything else. It is much less harmful to soften a bark than to use shock collars or euthanize a dog because its barking annoys the neighborhood.

And Julian, I feel very sorry for you. You have been brainwashed by animal rights groups such as PETA and HSUS. You will never know the love of a cherished pet.

When this 15 year old has to pay his own way, i.e. for an apartment, a house etc. and has a pet that is vocal with neighbors who protest it, then I might consider listening to him. The expense of having to move and find a new place, pet in tow, vs. having it bark softened. or giving it up, to a frined, aquaintance, or place it where it may end up being euthanized, might make a considerable difference to his feelings along this line. For a child, who has no experience with any of this to dictate what I can and cannot be allowed to do with my own dogs, and maintain their companionship, is a bit ridiculous. For someone in the state legislature to listen to him without either one having any knowledge of animal husbandry is also a bit over the top. The choice between being allowed to keep my pet or having to get rid of it, one way or another, makes the choice clear to me. I'd have the bark softening done. (BTW, I've NEVER head of it being done on a cat).

I think the people here who love their companion animals would be shocked and dismayed to realize what the true agenda of animal rights groups like PETA and HSUS is. Julian (Ingrid is that you?) voices the AR platform perfectly when (s)he states "People should not own pets periods. All animals should be outdoors, in the country and in the case of ownership, have their own lodgings and distances from annoying neighbors. Why pet owners see what they are doing as anything other than not so thinly veiled form of slavery is astonishing." If AR groups have it their way, we won't have to worry about bark softening as there won't be ANY companion animals.

Secondly, its getting a bit tedious trying to correct the misinformation that is intentionally being spread about the bark softening procedure. Its a quick, simple procedure. It so not remove the dogs vocal folds (not cords) and the dogs can still bark. Done properly, the bleeding is minimal to non-existent. With proper aftercare, there is usually no need to have the procedure done again.

And yes, McGillicuddy, I OWN and BREED shelties. I am also a registered nurse with 26 years of experience and I absolutely challenge your assertion that "An animal hurts no less than you do." Show me a woman the day after a total abdominal hysterectomy and a dog that has just been spayed and try to convince me that they feel pain in the same way.

When Julian (Comment #4 by: julian vigo on 25 Feb 2009) "People should not own pets" she gives away the twisted view of the animal rights(AR) agenda. If the American animal loving people knew what organizations like Peta and the HSUS have in store for them -- these AR organizations would whither up and blow away.

Bark softening is not invasive nor harmful to dogs. The AR agenda is to make it more and more difficult and expensive to own animal.

I used to think people like Julian didn't realize the agenda of the AR's. However, not long ago, information was gathered from a group of people that had infiltrated an AR group. Due to what has been learned, I no longer give Julian the benefit of the doubt. The AR's have a very twisted view of humanity and the animal world. This is why we see so much domestic terrorism in the name of animal rights.

Most of the AR's I've known have not been emotionally stable nor have they been in touch with reality. America needs to be informed.

Animal Rights Groups are not terrorist groups. You cannot, under any circumstance catalog these groups as being harmful just because they challenge people's rights to own animals.

David, America is misinformed by people who post absurd things, like the fact that ARGs are terrorists.

Dr. Rosset wrote: ". Not the HSUS or PETA people who are so busy going about killing every animal they can get their hands on. Do not believe these people or anyone who supports HSUS or PETA as they intend to kill off domestic animals"

These are lies. This is the best example of misinformation. PETA and ALF fight to see animals not owned as pets by people who would then strip them of their bark just to please neighbors.

For those who argue that debarking is a non-invasive procedure and so on, this is not the point of the protests against it. It's the fact that you, as owners, should take care of the dogs as they are, or do not buy them at all. They are not toys, to be "modified" or dressed according to the taste of the owners. I have two dogs at home, live with 20 other families in a single building, and fail to see the necessity of debarking. Again, if you do not feel like you are capable of taking care of a dog, don't buy it in the first place. Debarking is just a way of coping with things, and it's immoral, and wrong on many levels.

Tudor:

Your post shows your naivete in insisting that AR groups are not terrorists. The destruction and bombing of University of Minnesota research laboratories by convicted arsonist, Rodney Coronado, who received $20K for his defense from PETA, as well as additional funds sent to Coronado's father, clearly indicates PETA's acceptance of such violence. The FBI has classified PETA as a domestic terrorist group.

Do you really want to argue that the ALF is not involved in domestic terrorism? Do you really want to claim that PETA does not euthanize the majority of dogs/cats it "rescues".

Does your statement "It's the fact that you, as owners, should take care of the dogs as they are, or do not buy them at all. " mean that that shelters/rescues should not spay/neuter companion animal prior to placement? Why is it that animal rights activists can "own" companion animals and those animals not be considered "slaves" yet when anyone else has them, they are slaves?

Typical AR gobbledygook rhetoric: Do as I say, not as I do.

I'm not so sure about this-some breeds- shelties and collies especially-bark and they bark a lot and loudly. As a result, many dogs who bark are abandoned because they disturb the neigborhood. If de-barking allows a dog to stay home-and be a loving part of the family- then so be it.

So, basically, you want to be able to do whatever you want to your pets, without fear of someone to keep you in check? The fact that the FBI classified PETA as terrorism is without relevance, the FBI is a little paranoid at this time, and turns to all the "threats" it can find.

Let me put it to you this way - if abuses hadn't existed on the part of the owners in the first place (debarking is one of them), then such groups would have never appeared.

Tudor:

Sorry to keep you anxiously waiting for so long for a response

I take excellent care of my "pets", probably better care than any AR proponent.

Secondly, addressing your assertion that the FBI classified PETA as a domestic terrorist group due to paranoia, are you saying that firebombing research labs is not terrorism?

“If we really believe that animals have the same right to be free from pain and suffering at our hands, then, of course we’re going to be, as a movement, blowing things up and smashing windows … I think it’s a great way to bring about animal liberation … I think it would be great if all of the fast-food outlets, slaughterhouses, these laboratories, and the banks that fund them exploded tomorrow. I think it’s perfectly appropriate for people to take bricks and toss them through the windows … Hallelujah to the people who are willing to do it.
— Bruce Friedrich, PETA’s vegan campaign coordinator

If PETA was so interested in eliminating abuses to animals, why did they euthanize 90% of all the animals they "rescued" in 2007?
Why are they spending their money on expensive office buildings like the riverfront 3 story headquarters that housed them for over a decade? Surely they could find accommodations that would allow them to spend more $$$ on animals and less on rent?

to Gael Silverman

A perfect point, I couldn't agree more. You have to understand that I am not talking about PETA alone. You really need to stop cataloging all AR groups as being the same as PETA. I have local groups in my town that don't even have a headquarter, but still manage to pull dogs out of dog fights, usually stray ones, taken from behind apartment buildings.

As for the FBI issue, I'm afraid that they're using PETA as a justification to suppress any form of dissent on the part of animal lovers. Having this group as an example, they can easily say that all others are bad, and they actually say it, even though it's a straight-up lie.

If you want my personal opinion, I totally disagree with the way PETA does "business", and I have no answers to you questions regarding their activities. I am proud to be a member of one of my local groups, and not one of these mainstream organizations, for which PR is becoming more important than the direct action itself.

And I keep my argument that the FBI is acting out of line when cataloging all AR groups, or anyone protesting animal research as terrorists. I do it, and never dream of blowing people who disagree with me to smithereens. But I also have a problem with being called a terrorist. See my point?

That being said, thank you for your post
Tudor Vieru

Devocalization 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.

Jordan:

Let's be honest; this has nothing to do with cats. Secondly, why do you insist that dogs who have had this procedure can't bark or that barking is a dog's only means of communication.

I don't believe for a single moment that the Pom you mentioned died as a direct result of debark surgery. I admire your passion but truly object to the misinformation that you and others who oppose this procedure spread.

41% of ALL dogs surrendered to shelters for behavior problems are given up because of excessive barking.

There was not a single person who claimed that bark softening is the only way they can breed shelties... shame on you for being dishonest about that.

Did you know the standard lease form in Boston bans pets? Most likely every pet you see is breaking that lease. Banning debarking would not do anything... folks would still do it. They WANT their pets and will do whatever modifications to hide them. At the same time folks who can't tolerate the noise or the other compromises that come with a pet being around will do ANYTHING to get rid of them... including lying or baiting an animal.

People are stupid and selfish, and animals will always suffer no matter what anyone does about it. The only solution (which I don't recommend) is have no people around... no people = no cruelty to animals. My argument is... the problem is unsolvable since human extinction is not a solution.

I really liked this comment, thanks Jay... unfortunately, you make a lot of sense, it's like that!

Comment #22 by: Jay on 06 Sep 2009, 17:03 GMT
"...
People are stupid and selfish, and animals will always suffer no matter what anyone does about it. The only solution (which I don't recommend) is have no people around... no people = no cruelty to animals. My argument is... the problem is unsolvable since human extinction is not a solution."