Dog debarking policy at AVMA raises activists' howls of protest

[joeybee12]

When Porter, a 123-pound black Newfoundland, attempts to bark, it comes out as a raspy cough. When Lola, a 6-pound long-haired Chihuahua, tries, she emits only a whispery squeak.

Both dogs have been “devocalized," or surgically muffled, using a controversial procedure regarded as either barbaric mutilation by lazy pet owners -- or as the last resort of animal lovers desperate to keep their furry companions.

Porter’s owner, Sue Perry, a 58-year-old Connecticut bookkeeper, and Lola’s owner, Karen Mahmud, a 43-year-old New York nutrition blogger, fall squarely into the first camp. They’re part of the Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets, an activist group that helped get the practice known as “debarking” or "devoicing" outlawed in Massachusetts two years ago. Now they have set their sights on the American Veterinary Medical Association.

“It’s very, very upsetting,” said Mahmud, who also got Lola from a rescue group and says she watches the tiny dog suffer with constant coughing and acting like there's something stuck in her throat. “I would never think that it’s OK to put a dog under needless torture. If a dog barks, a dog barks.”

http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/25/14677222-dog-debarking-policy-at-avma-raises-activists-howls-of-protest?lite

[theinquisitivechad]

1. If you're not in a position to

Allow your dog to bark, or retrain one that does so constantly...don't get a dog. Jeez Louise. The inhumanity of people is unbelievable. Sometimes I wonder how "humane" is even etymologically related to our species.

[joeybee12]

2. I agree...and not only did these people "debark" those dogs, they later

abandoned them...I would assume most such dogs do eventually get tossed out by their asshole owners.

[get the red out]

3. Interesting

I noticed it was an AKC person who thinks the procedure is just fine. The same organization that thinks bulldogs that can barely breathe meet their breed standard just fine also.

If it is harmful to dogs, it shouldn't be done unless medically necessary, JMO. Training is cheaper.

[joeybee12]

4. That so-and-so from the AKC is a piece of work...

Saying that spaying and neutering is the same thing...what a *%&$$

[get the red out]

5. A lot of them have more $$$ on their minds

than animal well-being.

[joeybee12]

6. Yup...more puppies, more money...

Note she's a breeder.

[hamsterjill]

8. Bingo!!!!

You got it!

In my city, we are trying to get to "no kill". Everything that would do any good is being opposed by the AKC and its affiliates. They are constantly trying to intimidate city officials. They have no interest in the animals. They ARE interested in the money from the sales.

It's truly disgusting.

[joeybee12]

11. I think we need to protest at all the AKC shows...

I wonder if people watching those and attending know what the AKC is all about.

[hamsterjill]

12. I think you're right.

As for the attendees, I think some just don't care, some refuse to believe that they are part of the problem, and some just see it as advertising their business.

We have a local group that goes by a different name, but is well funded and well connected to the AKC. In a city where we euthanize about 30,000 per year these days (down from 50,000 about 3 years ago), this group constantly spews the "fear speech" that if breeders aren't allowed to breed, that we will run out of dogs and cats for adoption.

I would LOVE to see that day happen. Yeah, right! The breeders breed, and people are actually stupid enough to buy from them. When the breeders get tired of the business, or if they happen to have a litter that isn't "perfect" they dump them for the rescues and shelters to try to save.

In a city where the problem is too many animals, we don't need to have ANY ONE adding to the number of animals that need homes.

[joeybee12]

14. I also think that people at home who tune in think, Wow,

these people must really love dogs...they don't, a lot of them. Corporate sponsorship by pet products should be targeted also.

[Liberal_in_LA]

7. k&r

[HopeHoops]

9. That's really sick.

[joeybee12]

10. Yup...

And the more I think about it, the more the AKC woman is pissing me off...

[RebelOne]

13. My Chihuahua also coughs acts like there is something stuck in her throat,

but I read on a dog site that is common with Chihuahuas because they often have a collapsed trachea. And my dog has never been debarked, though sometimes I think about it.