Devocalization
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Devocalization (also known as ventriculocordectomy or vocal cordectomy; when performed on a dog debarking or bark softening; when performed on a cat demeowing or meow softening) is a
surgical Surgery is a medical specialty that uses manual and instrumental techniques to diagnose or treat pathological conditions (e.g., trauma, disease, injury, malignancy), to alter bodily functions (e.g., malabsorption created by bariatric surgery ...
procedure where tissue is removed from the
vocal cord In humans, the vocal cords, also known as vocal folds, are folds of throat tissues that are key in creating sounds through vocalization. The length of the vocal cords affects the pitch of voice, similar to a violin string. Open when breathing a ...
s.


Indications and contraindications

Devocalization is usually performed at the request of an animal owner (where the procedure is legally permitted). The procedure may be forcefully requested as a result of a court order. Owners or breeders generally request the procedure because of excessive animal vocalizations, complaining neighbors, or as an alternative to euthanasia due to a court order. Risks of the procedure include negative reaction to anesthesia, infection, bleeding, and pain. There is also the possibility that the removed tissue will grow back, or of scar tissue blocking the throatboth cases requiring further surgeriesthough with the incisional technique the risk of fibrosis is virtually eliminated.


Effectiveness

The devocalization procedure does not take away a dog's ability to bark. Dogs will normally bark just as much as before the procedure. After the procedure, the sound will be softer, typically about half as loud as before, or less, and it is not as sharp or piercing.Debarking Dogs: Bark Softening Surgery
, April, 2013
Most devocalized dogs have a subdued "husky" bark, audible up to 20 metres.Code of practice for debarking of dogs
Bureau of Animal Welfare, Attwood,
Victoria, Australia Victoria, commonly abbreviated as Vic, is a state in southeastern Australia. It is the second-smallest state (after Tasmania), with a land area of ; the second-most-populated state (after New South Wales), with a population of over 7 million; ...
, October, 2001


Procedure

The surgery 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.Ventriculocordectomy ("Debarking")
, by Dawn Brown DVM, April 12, 2009, Mushing magazine


Reasons for excessive vocalization

Chronic, excessive vocalization may be due to improper socialization or training, stress, boredom, fear, or frustration.
,
In Defense of Animals In Defense of Animals (IDA) is an animal protection organization founded in 1983 in San Rafael, California, United States. The group's slogan is "working to protect the rights, welfare, and habitats of animals". IDA has become known, in particul ...
Up to 35% of dog owners report problems with barking, which can cause disputes and legal problems. The behavior is more common among some breeds of dog, such as the Shetland Sheepdog, which are known as loud barkers, due to the nature of the environment in which the breed was developed.


Less invasive interventions

Vocalizations are a natural
behavior Behavior (American English) or behaviour (British English) is the range of actions of Individual, individuals, organisms, systems or Artificial intelligence, artificial entities in some environment. These systems can include other systems or or ...
of animals which they use widely in intra-specific and inter-specific
communication Communication is commonly defined as the transmission of information. Its precise definition is disputed and there are disagreements about whether Intention, unintentional or failed transmissions are included and whether communication not onl ...
. As such, devocalization should generally be considered only as a last resort. Before this surgical intervention, there are other, less invasive interventions which can be considered to overcome excessive vocalizations.


Training

Training can be one of the most effective techniques to help combat excessive barking in dogs. Acquiring the help of a professional dog trainer can often help reduce an animal's barking.


Corrective collars

The use of automatic and manual corrective collars can be useful as a training aid when used correctly; however, the use of corrective collars, particularly shock collars, is controversial and banned in some countries. Types of corrective collars include vibration, citronella spray, ultrasonic and electrostatic/shock collar.


Accommodation

Because dogs often bark excessively due to stress, boredom, or frustration, changing aspects of an animal's environment to make them more content is a suitable way to quiet them down, rather than forcibly silencing a distressed animal. Spending more time with an animal, such as playing, walking, and other bonding activities, will keep them occupied and make them feel more at ease. If the animal is stressed, it is best to remove the object that is causing them discomfort.


Controversy and legislation


Reasons opposing

In some regions of the US and in the UK, convenience devocalization is considered a form of surgical mutilation. Most
veterinarian A veterinarian (vet) or veterinary surgeon is a medical professional who practices veterinary medicine. They manage a wide range of health conditions and injuries in non-human animals. Along with this, veterinarians also play a role in animal r ...
s and the RSPCA offer information to behavioral schools on how to train dogs not to bark.


Reasons favoring

Several reasons are offered in favor of devocalization. *Dogs are allowed to bark freely, however this is a completely unnatural behavior because the animal they were domesticated from (wolfs) never bark. Dogs do not communicate with other dogs by barking, they use pheromones like wolfs. *The animal is no longer subject to constant disapproval (
discipline Discipline is the self-control that is gained by requiring that rules or orders be obeyed, and the ability to keep working at something that is difficult. Disciplinarians believe that such self-control is of the utmost importance and enforce a ...
). *Animals that previously had to be kept indoors can be allowed outdoors again. Further, breeds and individual animals known for excessive barking/vocalizing have a higher chance of being adopted/rescued and not being repeatedly re-homed if/when training fails.


Context

Kathy Gaughan points out that "the surgery stops the barking, but it doesn't address why the dog was barking in the first place." Gaughan notes that visitors to her clinic who request debarking are usually looking for a "quick fix". Gaughan states that, commonly, those who seek debarking live in apartments, or have neighbors who complain. Since dogs where domesticated as outdoor animals and have spent 1000s of years living outdoors, it is inhumane to keep dogs indoors. Ideally, the proper solution is to never ever keep dogs inside a building, as this is cruel. Gaughan also counts "breeders with many dogs" among those who most often seek convenience devocalization. However, 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." 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.


Opinions of animal welfare societies

Multiple animal medicine and
animal welfare Animal welfare is the quality of life and overall well-being of animals. Formal standards of animal welfare vary between contexts, but are debated mostly by animal welfare groups, legislators, and academics. Animal welfare science uses measures ...
organizations discourage the use of convenience devocalization, recommending that it be used only as a last resort. However, organizations such as the
American Veterinary Medical Association The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is an American not-for-profit association founded in 1863 that represents more than 105,000 veterinarians. The AVMA provides information resources, continuing education opportunities, publicat ...
, American Animal Hospital Association and the
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing animal cruelty. Based in New York City since its inception in 1866, the organization's mission is "to provide effective mea ...
, oppose laws that would make devocalization illegal. The American Veterinary Medical Association's official position is that "canine devocalization should be performed only by qualified, licensed veterinarians as a final alternative after behavioral modification efforts to correct excessive vocalization have failed."AVMA policy: Canine Devocalization
(Approved by the AVMA Executive Board June 2002; reaffirmed April 2008; oversight: Animal Welfare Committee)
The AVMA's position was later adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association.Canine Devocalization Position Statement
, American Animal Hospital Association
New AAHA position statement opposes cosmetic ear cropping, tail docking
/ref> The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association's position statement on devocalization of dogs states: "The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) discourages 'devocalization' of dogs unless it is the only alternative to euthanasia, and humane treatment and management methods have failed." 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 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.Position Statement on Surgical Procedures for Resolving Behavior Problems
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing animal cruelty. Based in New York City since its inception in 1866, the organization's mission is "to provide effective mea ...


Legal restriction and banning

The legality of convenience devocalization varies by jurisdiction. The procedure is outlawed as a form of mutilation in the
United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
and all countries that have signed the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals. In the
United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
, devocalization is illegal in
Massachusetts Massachusetts ( ; ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Maine to its east, Connecticut and Rhode ...
,
New Jersey New Jersey is a U.S. state, state located in both the Mid-Atlantic States, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, Northeastern regions of the United States. Located at the geographic hub of the urban area, heavily urbanized Northeas ...
, and
Warwick, Rhode Island Warwick ( or ) is a city in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States, and is the third-largest city in the state, with a population of 82,823 at the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census. Warwick is located approximately south of downtown Pr ...
.


United Kingdom

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


United States

In the United States, laws vary by state. In 2000, anti-debarking legislation was proposed in California, New Jersey, and Ohio. 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.Animal control is people control
, ''Animal People News'', May 2002
However, Ohio Revised Code 955.22 outlawed debarking only of dogs considered "vicious". In February 2009, 15-year-old Jordan Star of
Needham, Massachusetts Needham ( ) is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. A suburb of Boston, its population was 32,091 in the 2020 United States Census, 2020 U.S. Census. It is the home of Olin College. History ...
, filed a bill to outlaw performing convenience devocalization procedures upon cats and dogs.Teen Files Bill to Make Vocal Surgery Illegal
Putting a Bite into Debarking", ''
Boston Herald The ''Boston Herald'' is an American conservative daily newspaper whose primary market is Boston, Massachusetts, and its surrounding area. It was founded in 1846 and is one of the oldest daily newspapers in the United States. It has been awarde ...
''. February 02, 2009.
The bill was 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. Devocalizing cats and dogs also became illegal in Warwick, Rhode Island, by city ordinance in 2011.City of Warwick, RI, Chapter 4 Animals and Fowl, Article IV, Animal Care; Spaying and Neutering Dogs and Cats, Sec. 4-132. Devocalization prohibited: http://www.warwickri.gov/pdfs/cityclerk/2010/PCO-29-10.pdf Legislation to ban devocalization of dogs and cats in New York State is pending.


See also

*
Bark Bark may refer to: Common meanings * Bark (botany), an outer layer of a woody plant such as a tree or stick * Bark (sound), a vocalization of some animals (which is commonly the dog) Arts and entertainment * ''Bark'' (Jefferson Airplane album), ...
ing * Overview of discretionary invasive procedures on animals


References


External links


"Debarking (Bark Softening) – Myths and Facts"
{{Dog nav Dog health Dog anatomy Animal welfare Animal rights Human–animal interaction