Devocalization: The controversial act of removing dogs' vocal chords

Some dog owners will do anything to keep their pets from barking, including putting them under the knife

Dogs barking
(Image credit: Courtesy Shutterstock)

Anyone who's ever owned a particularly chatty dog, or lived in the same building as one, knows that incessant barking can be a nuisance. While most owners take it upon themselves to teach their dogs good barking etiquette, others are taking a short cut — literally. Surgically removing an animal's vocal chords, a controversial procedure that's been around for decades, is under fire again, as one dog owner, horrified by the results, is petitioning the American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA) to outlaw the practice. Here, a guide to the uproar:

What exactly is "devocalization"?

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us