Surgical debarking

Debarking, devocalization, bark softening, or, in medical terms, ventriculocordectomy or vocal cordectomy, is a controversial surgical procedure, similar to a laryngectomy, applied to dogs to permanently stop them from barking. Removing tissue from the dog’s vocal chords results in the dog’s vocalizations being quieter, but does not completely eliminate them. Most debarked dogs have a subdued "husky" bark, audible up to 20 metres. [http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/nreninf.nsf/LinkView/1722EE167DB67390CA256C19000EFD4A4E532A5FF42FDB794A256DEA0027A696] The procedure is typically done in response to excessive barking. Up to 35% of dog owners report problems with barking, which can cause disputes and legal problems [http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Proceedings/PR05000/PR00017.htm] .

Dog barking is often reported as unpleasant [http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/noise/pdf/barkingdog.pdf] [ [http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/noisebarkingdogs.pdf.pdf leaflet.20.indd ] ] . There have been cases where dogs have been poisoned by neighbours as a result of excessive barking. [ [http://www.barkingdogs.net/newsmdhagerstown.shtml A Hagerstown, Maryland man poisons his neighbor's barking dogs over the noise ] ] [ [http://www.wayodd.com/fed-up-of-barking-woman-tries-to-poison-neighbors-dog/v/6090/ Fed Up Of Barking, Woman Tries To Poison Neighbor's Dog ] ] [ [http://www.wgrz.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=43764 wgrz.com | Buffalo, NY | Woman Arrested in Alleged Dog Poisoning Plot ] ]

Procedure and risks

Debarking may be performed via the mouth, with a portion of the vocal folds removed using a biopsy punch, scissor, or laser, or via an incision in the throat and through the larynx, a more invasive procedure. All debarking procedures require general anesthesia. Risks and side effects include negative reaction to anaesthesia, infection, bleeding, and pain. There is also some risk of the removed tissue growing back, or of scar tissue blocking the throat, both requiring further surgeries.

Opinions on debarking

Many animal rights organisations oppose debarking, while some of those who have the procedure done on their dogs claim their animals are non-responsive to other solutions, pointing out that an excessively noisy dog may, in extreme cases, otherwise face euthanasia.

Chronic, excessive barking may be due to improper socialization or training, stress, boredom, fear, or frustration. [http://www.idausa.org/facts/cossurgery.html] Dr. Kathy Gaughan, assistant professor of clinical sciences at Kansas State University’s Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, points out that debarking "doesn't take away the motivation to bark or address any underlying behavioral issues.”

Laws regarding debarking

The legality of the procedure varies by jurisdiction. Debarking is specifically prohibited in the UK, along with ear cropping, tail docking, and de-clawing of cats. [cite web |url=http://www.hastings.gov.uk/animal_welfare/ |title=Animal Welfare Charter |accessdate=2008-07-20 |publisher=Hastings Borough Council |quote=It is now illegal for ear cropping and debarking of dogs as well as the de-clawing of cats to take place.]

In the United States, laws vary by state. In the year 2000, anti-debarking legislation was proposed in California, New Jersey, and Ohio. While the California and New Jersey bills failed due to opposition from groups who predicted the ban would lead to similar bans on ear copping and other cosmetic surgical procedures on dogs, the Ohio bill survived and was signed into law by Governor Robert Taft in August 2000. [http://www.animalpeoplenews.org/02/5/animalcontrol0502.html ]

References

*Landsberg, Gary: [http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Proceedings/PR05000/PR00017.htm Declawing and Debarking: What are the Alternatives?] .
* [http://www.dogpatch.org/sheltie/barking.html http://www.dogpatch.org/sheltie/barking.html]

ee also

* Bark (dog)

External links

* [http://www.naiaonline.org/body/articles/archives/debark_qna.htm National Animal Interest Alliance: Debarking Myths and Facts]