CBSLocal:
Animal welfare activists are sparking a debate regarding whether or not the practice of devocalizing dogs and other pets is inhumane.
Formally known as a ventriculocordectomy, devocalizing animals involves surgically altering the pets so that they can no longer make loud noises by removing some or most of the animal’s vocal chords through either the mouth or larynx.
CBS News learned that, after the surgery is completed, most pets are left making either low and harsh-sounding or high-pitched and raspy squealing sounds.
Dog owner Sue Perry was adamantly against the practice, an opinion she voiced while talking with CBS News. Her adopted dog Porter had been devocalized, which reportedly left the animal with a raspy bark.
“He really has trouble breathing even on a very short walk, and he coughs,” Perry was quoted as saying. “Before I really knew anything about this, they thought he had kennel cough. He gags so I have to monitor him closely when he is eating his food, and I have to water it down.”
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Animal welfare activists are sparking a debate regarding whether or not the practice of devocalizing dogs and other pets is inhumane.
Formally known as a ventriculocordectomy, devocalizing animals involves surgically altering the pets so that they can no longer make loud noises by removing some or most of the animal’s vocal chords through either the mouth or larynx.
CBS News learned that, after the surgery is completed, most pets are left making either low and harsh-sounding or high-pitched and raspy squealing sounds.
Dog owner Sue Perry was adamantly against the practice, an opinion she voiced while talking with CBS News. Her adopted dog Porter had been devocalized, which reportedly left the animal with a raspy bark.
“He really has trouble breathing even on a very short walk, and he coughs,” Perry was quoted as saying. “Before I really knew anything about this, they thought he had kennel cough. He gags so I have to monitor him closely when he is eating his food, and I have to water it down.”
MORE