Massachusetts Bans Debarking

[SheepOfBlue]

Yes, Snap's bark is softened. Sounds as though he has laryngitis, but his bark still has plenty of volume. AND if you all remember, Snap by far was the barkiest sheltie at the party !!!

I chose to have him debarked at 9 mos, when a littermate of his was being debarked. I admit that it was a decision made out of convenience. The houses in my neighborhood are only required to have 6 ft easements, so they are extremely close to one another; and I have 11 ft ceilings, which result in sound reverberating.

While I've since taught him to bark on command and to be quiet, he is a big talker and just has a lot to say.

It seems to vary by dog. Sca's mom was quieter than Snap while another was a bit louder and one was really bizarre in that the tone was normal it just sounded like he was across the field . Her case was similar to yours in that she had neighbors and while they had a great lot the house seemed to be on the back edge. With 8 of them (plus any temporary pups) it would have been loud. Plus I vaguely remember something about barking at shows but cannot remember.

Actually none seemed to barky to me but then they were all busy having fun. Sca, I think was quiet and usually is unless he is sassing (food me!, water is empty, PLAY NOW!, etc)

 

[Smudge]

I have to wonder just how much effort is really going to go into enforcing this law.

In most areas, law enforcement is woefully underfunded. I can't believe that they will make dog debarking violations a priority. Unless Massachusetts has no murders, rapes, armed robbery, gang problems, drug issues, meth labs, child abuse, domestic violence, burglaries ....

I am going to have to agree with this. There is a city wide ban in Texarkana that states that you are not allowed to have your dog on a chain unless that dog has access to food, water, and shelter at all times. It's a fabulous law, but how many times does it get enforced? Probably not very often. I am hoping this same law will pass in Ashdown, too. Again though, while the law means well, how can you prove just how long a dog has been in the blazing heat with no food, water, and shelter?

Unless you take pictures or video, and in which case you might get in trouble for stalking.

 

[Caro]

I have to wonder just how much effort is really going to go into enforcing this law.

In most areas, law enforcement is woefully underfunded. I can't believe that they will make dog debarking violations a priority. Unless Massachusetts has no murders, rapes, armed robbery, gang problems, drug issues, meth labs, child abuse, domestic violence, burglaries ....

In Victoria (where I lived when Kimba was poisoned) a breeder of Tibetan Terriers had all her dogs siezed and impounded because she showed a debarked dog at a conformation show. They even siezed puppies. All the dogs got sent to a shelter and she is still fighting the govt in court to get her dogs back - and its been months! Apparently it is less cruel to put these dogs and puppies in the pound (where there has been a parvo outbreak) than leaving them in a loving home just because they were quietened interstate.

 

[danisgoat]

In Victoria (where I lived when Kimba was poisoned) a breeder of Tibetan Terriers had all her dogs siezed and impounded because she showed a debarked dog at a conformation show. They even siezed puppies. All the dogs got sent to a shelter and she is still fighting the govt in court to get her dogs back - and its been months! Apparently it is less cruel to put these dogs and puppies in the pound (where there has been a parvo outbreak) than leaving them in a loving home just because they were quietened interstate.

That is absolutely ridiculous!

 

[labgirl]

Fur removed while the animal is still alive is a whole 'nother issue. I'm talking about regulated fur-farming in which the animals are electrocuted before their fur is harvested. This method of killing is endorsed by the law as humane, just as stunning-and-bleeding of cattle. The skinned bodies are used for fertilizer, animal feed, or dissection classes - generally not thrown away. This is a prominent source of popular fur (mink) in North America.

I can honestly say I had no idea this still went on. As far as I know that no longer occurs in England.

I don't want to start an emotive debate on this subject, because I like you all and don't want to upset anyone

Yes, Tofu Pup, you are right that soy is used in organic animal feed (at least over here) but is generally not an ingredient in non-organic feed. A reason I don't buy organic, because I am not convinced of the benefits (to animal or person) compared to what might be considered 'non-organic' farms.

I also am vaguely aware of animal cruelty issues surrounding slaughterhouses in the US. And I agree that in that situation eating meat is morally disagreeable. If animals were treated like that here and our laws were less stringent I would not eat meat - even though I do like meat. I always buy British for the main reason that I know our animals have been treated well in their lives and killed humanely, and that our laws will deal severely with people who do not do that.

Its a very difficult situation, and really I have gone far off subject.

Sorry, guys. I'll shut up and leave you all to it now.

 

[FelixFelicis]

i think it is obsurd to debark.They sound horrible

 

[Lightplum]

i think it is obsurd to debark.They sound horrible

than it wasnt done correctly...however that is neither here nor there...I'd still rather have a horrible sounding dog that is alive instead of aggravated neighbors poisoning and killing my dogs..or my dogs taken away do to noise complaints by my neighbors. Heck i'd much rather that the govt stay out of my business and let me do what I see fit with MY animals for their well being...

I'll have to see if I can do a Video of my bark softened dog...you wouldnt be able to tell that she was done...except I know because its about 20 octives lower than she was.

 

[Sharon]

Debarking

Lightplum if you need to debark there is a vet in Lebanon Ct. who does it with laser.Shadow is debarked and he stills barks and is very annoying.

 

[RonandJan]

Heck i'd much rather that the govt stay out of my business and let me do what I see fit with MY animals for their well being...

This is my point. Our government has much more pressing issue to contend with.

 

[Lightplum]

Lightplum if you need to debark there is a vet in Lebanon Ct. who does it with laser.Shadow is debarked and he stills barks and is very annoying.

Thanks Sharon...There is actually supposed to be a vet in RI that does it...but I havent used them or know anyone who has. I have another name of a CT vet that does bark softening as well. Thankfully I did my problem one last year..although you'd never know it

This is my point. Our government has much more pressing issue to contend with.

Exactly I think both at a local, state and national level our govt has much bigger problems at hand to take care of first....I see this bill as a total waste of time for lawmakers who took alot of time while unemployment is the almost the highest in the country and local cities and towns are struggling financially...I guess it shows overall how broken the system really is here...