Devocalization

Devocalization (also known as ventriculocordectomy or vocal cordectomy, and for dogs, debarking or bark softening) is a surgical procedure applied to dogs and cats, where tissue is removed from the animal’s vocal cords in order to permanently reduce the volume of their vocalizations. The procedure is outlawed as a form of mutilation in the United Kingdom and all countries that have signed the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals and attempts have been made to outlaw the procedure in various parts of the United States.

Procedure and risks

The procedure may be performed via the animal's mouth, with a portion of the vocal folds removed using a biopsy punch, cautery tool, scissor, or laser. The procedure may also be performed via an incision in the throat and through the larynx, which is a more invasive technique. All devocalization procedures require general anesthesia.^[1] Risks and side effects include negative reaction to anaesthesia, infection, bleeding, and pain. There is also the risk of the removed tissue growing back, or of scar tissue blocking the throat, both requiring further surgeries, though with the incisional technique, the risk of fibrosis is virtually eliminated.^[1] Most debarked dogs have a subdued "husky" bark, audible up to 20 metres.^[2]

Factors

Chronic, excessive vocalization may be due to improper socialization or training, stress, boredom, fear, or frustration.^[3] Up to 35% of dog owners report problems with barking, which can cause disputes and legal problems.^[4] The practice is more common among some breeds of dog, such as the Shetland Sheepdog (or "Sheltie"), which are known as loud barkers (due to the nature of the environment in which the breed was developed).

National Council on Pet Population and Study statistics

The National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP) is a council of ten prominent American animal organizations^[5] which studies and addresses statistics on companion animals.^[6]

The NCPPSP's Shelter Statistics Survey collected data from over 5,000 shelters,^[7] The study concluded that neither excessive vocalization nor general "behavior problems" were among the top ten reasons companion animals are relinquished at shelters.^[8]

In a study of 12 shelters reporting behaviors of animals relinquished to shelters as reported by prior caretakers, a majority of relinquished cats and dogs were reported to have "rarely or never" have been too noisy.^[9]

Behaviors of Animals as Reported by Owners
in 12 U.S. Shelters (1995–1996)^[9]

Was too noisy	Dogs		Cats
	Number	Percentage	Number	Percentage
Always	99	5.0 %	31	2.4 %
Mostly	179	9.1 %	67	5.2 %
Sometimes	575	29.2 %	242	18.7 %
Rarely/never	1,119	56.7 %	951	73.7 %

Context

Dr. Kathy Gaughan, assistant professor of clinical sciences at Kansas State University's Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, points out that "the surgery stops the barking, but it doesn't address why the dog was barking in the first place."^[10] Gaughan notes that visitors to her clinic who request debarking are usually looking for a "quick fix".^[10] Gaughan states that, commonly, those who seek debarking live in apartments, or have neighbors who complain.^[11] Gaughan also counts "breeders with many dogs" among those who most often seek convenience devocalization.^[11] However, Dr. Gaughan does not agree with those who claim the procedure is cruel, stating "Recently, some animal advocates have asserted this surgery is cruel to the animal; some countries have even outlawed the procedure. I do not believe the surgical procedure is cruel; however, failing to address the underlying factors is inappropriate." ^[11]

Some breeders seek the surgery in order to limit or diminish noise levels for personal reasons ranging from convenience to prevention; some breeders even seek the surgery for puppies prior to going to new homes.^{[citation needed]} However, the fundamental flaw lies within the dog owner's capacity to make appropriate decisions based on their ability to properly provide and care for their breed of choice, which includes taking into consideration living conditions.^{[unbalanced opinion][citation needed]}

Most dogs can be taught to offer more acceptable behaviors in lieu of barking and other noisy behaviors. It is important to remember that dogs may make noise while playing, when excited, stressed, bored, under or over exercised, and for any number of other reasons. Dog owners need to make educated decisions about the breed(s) and breed mixes they choose to bring into their homes by doing research on the history of the breed(s), the breed today, and the necessary requirements for the breed.

Controversy

The subject of convenience devocalization is controversial.

Opinions of medical organizations and humane societies

Multiple animal medicine and animal welfare organizations discourage the use of convenience devocalization, recommending that it only be used as a last resort. However, organizations such as the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, oppose laws that would make devocalization illegal.

The American Veterinary Medical Association's official position states that "canine devocalization should only be performed by qualified, licensed veterinarians as a final alternative after behavioral modification efforts to correct excessive vocalization have failed." ^[12]

The AVMA's position was later adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association.^[13][14]

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends that animal caretakers first attempt to address animal behavior problems with humane behavior modification techniques and/or with a treatment protocol set up by an animal behavior specialist. The ASPCA recommends surgery only if behavior modification techniques have failed, and the animal is at risk of losing its home or its life.^[15]

Legal restriction and banning

The legality of convenience devocalization varies by jurisdiction.

United Kingdom

Debarking is specifically prohibited in the UK, along with ear cropping, tail docking, and declawing of cats.^[16] By law, convenience devocalization is considered a form of surgical mutilation.

United States

In the United States, laws vary by state. In the year 2000, anti-debarking legislation was proposed in California, New Jersey, and Ohio.^{[citation needed]} The California and New Jersey bills failed, partially due to opposition from groups who predicted the ban would lead to similar bans on ear cropping and other controversial cosmetic surgical procedures on dogs. The Ohio bill survived, and was signed into law by Governor Robert Taft in August 2000.^[17] However, Ohio Revised Code 955.22 only outlawed debarking of dogs considered "vicious".^[18]

In February 2009, 15-year-old Jordan Star of Needham, Massachusetts, filed a bill to outlaw performing convenience devocalization procedures upon cats and dogs.^[19] The bill is co-sponsored by Senator Scott Brown, with the title Logan's Law, after a debarked sheepdog. Star said of convenience devocalization: "To take a voice away from an animal is morally wrong." The bill became state law on April 23, 2010.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Ventriculocordectomy (“Debarking”), by Dawn Brown DVM, April 12, 2009, Mushing magazine
2. ^ Code of practice for debarking of dogs, Bureau of Animal Welfare, Attwood, Victoria, Australia, October, 2001
3. ^ Cosmetic Surgery for Dogs and Cats, In Defense of Animals
4. ^ Declawing and Debarking: What are the Alternatives?: World Small Animal Veterinary Association, World Congress – Vancouver 2001
5. ^ Members, National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy
6. ^ About Us, National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy
7. ^ Shelter Statistics Survey, National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy
8. ^ The Top Ten Reasons for Pet Relinquishment to Shelters in the United States, National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy
9. ^ ^{a b} Characteristics of Shelter-Relinquished Animals and Their Owners Compared With Animals and Their Owners in U.S. Pet-Owning Households, John C. New Jr., NCPPSP (page 12 of PDF, page 218 printed on page)
10. ^ ^{a b} Debarking surgery won't take away dog's motivation to bark, Understanding Animals
11. ^ ^{a b c} "Opinion: The pros and cons of debarking", K-State Perspectives
12. ^ AVMA policy: Canine Devocalization (Approved by the AVMA Executive Board June 2002; reaffirmed April 2008; oversight: Animal Welfare Committee)
13. ^ Canine Devocalization Position Statement, American Animal Hospital Association
14. ^ New AAHA position statement opposes cosmetic ear cropping, tail docking
15. ^ Position Statement on Surgical Procedures for Resolving Behavior Problems, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
16. ^ "Animal Welfare Charter". Hastings Borough Council. http://www.hastings.gov.uk/animal_welfare/. Retrieved 2008-07-20. "It is now illegal for ear cropping and debarking of dogs as well as the declawing of cats to take place." 
17. ^ Animal control is people control, Animal People News, May 2002
18. ^ Confining, restraining, debarking dogs., Ohio Revised Code
19. ^ "Teen Files Bill to Make Vocal Surgery Illegal: Putting a Bite into Debarking", Boston Herald. February 02, 2009.

External links

• "Don't Debark, Train Your Dog to Stop Barking Instead!": Why Training a Dog to Stop Barking Isn't Rocket Science and How You Too Can Easily Do it Starting Now!
• "Dog Training Tutorials, Video Clips, Articles, Guides, and More..."

See also

• Bark (dog)
• Meow
• Animal rights
• Animal welfare
• Humane society
• Dog breeding