Massachusetts Bans Debarking

[Smudge]

I have heard some horror stories though about how it's done in puppy mills. That's another situation altogether.

Well, I wasn't going to go there, but I've told the story before about how the other dog breeds at the puppmill were not barking. The only ones barking where the shelties. I am sure it is true, but I have heard that puppymillers shove metal pipes down their throats to keep them from barking. If they die it doesn't matter, because there are hundreds of other dogs.


Again though, that's probably another scare tatic they used to get this law/bill passed. A vet isn't going to shove a metal pipe down a dog's throat. Let's hope not anyway!

 

[Ainsley's mom]

I have never heard much about debarking. It probably wouldn't be my first course of action, but if everything else has failed it is a better option that getting rid of the dog.

I think that a lot of people who support this type of legislation are actually good people who are trying to do the right thing, but they have only heard one side of the issue. After all, on the surface, debarking does sound like a mean thing to do to a dog. The animal welfare groups do a lot better job of gathering their supporters that do the dog people. That is how a lot of this stuff gets passed.

Responsible dog owners need to keep a closer watch on this type of legislation. What next, tail docking? ear gluing?

 

[ClantyreSheltie]

I am sure it is true, but I have heard that puppymillers shove metal pipes down their throats to keep them from barking.

Several years ago, a call went out to the rescue list to find people who had gotten dogs from the millers that allegedly did this pipe-debark. You know how many rescues came back with first hand knowledge of this? Zero.

As far as we can tell, it's a myth.

 

[Smudge]

Several years ago, a call went out to the rescue list to find people who had gotten dogs from the millers that allegedly did this pipe-debark. You know how many rescues came back with first hand knowledge of this? Zero.

As far as we can tell, it's a myth.

Maybe a myth, but the dogs at the puppymill I was at did not bark. I was there for myself to see and hear. I am not saying they did or did not shove a pipe down the dogs throats, but none of the multiple breeds of dogs except the shelties were barking.

 

[k9kreationz]

I admit. At times I think it's cruel...mostly because I wonder what it'd be like if I had laryngitis for the rest of my life. But then....I also think as humans we have to communicate via voice/speaking way more than dogs do. So, it is different. With that, I am not against it at all and dislike that MA is taking away the "last chance" for some dogs. As others have said, in certain areas, your dog can and will be removed from your home if you cannot stop it from barking. And guess where it'll end up....the pound. Waiting on death row.

We seriously considered debarking Koji. We live in the city and everything is close. At the time, we lived in a condo. We couldn't leave any windows open otherwise, his bark would reverberate down the entire street/condo complex. Not good. The only upside was that the walls were so thick and well insulated that you couldn't hear him (our neighbors didn't even realize we had a puppy).

Now that we live in an apartment, sigh. Thankfully, he barks less. I think. I should leave and see what he does. We also leave him out of his crate (I think that caused anxiety/stress which meant barking/howling). We also took the apartment that doesn't have anyone connected to us on the side (only someone above us). But if he gets worse or we get complaints and can't find somewhere to live, I wouldn't hesitate to debark him.

I have met debarked dogs and they can't tell the difference. They bark, they play, they seem well-adjusted and enjoying life. If it meant losing Koji, adopting him out to someone else, him going to the pound, or what not...I'd debark him first. I'd rather him stay with us, live his normal happy agility filled life....versus being sent away.

Sigh. I wonder if they'll see an increase of dogs in pounds, etc due to excessive barking (over the years to come).

Just my 2 cents

 

[Calliesmom]

I think one of the dogs at the southern sheltie party was debarked (or had a cold ) All the dogs got along, all the dogs got petted, all the dogs had a blast. I have ZERO intention of debarking Sca but there is cases that I could see it (his mom is debarked)

Callie and Snap were both voice-softened. Snap just had more to say than Callie did

 

[Calliesmom]

Callie has two types of barks- her alert bark where she's barking at something is very soft and then there's her 'give me food now' bark- significantly louder and more annoying. usually employed at breakfast and dinner
her bark to come back in is on the soft side too. I do live in a subdivision in a rural town but there are plenty of dogs not far that make way more noise than all of my dogs. if it was the only way to keep my dog, I would do it in a heartbeat. I believe that Callie came into rescue already voice-softened.

 

[dawns2shelties]

Chandler and Gypsy are not debarked and neither was my first sheltie. I had never heard of it until last year when I noticed several breeder sites offering to debark their puppies. Not having any knowledge of this I thought I would search the internet and do some research. One of the first sites I came upon was Central Illinois Sheltie rescue they have a whole page about debarking with photos of dogs they rescued due to excessive barking. The first had oven cleaner sprayed down it's throat by it's horribly cruel owner. I hope they hung them by their *****. The second they found with it's throat slit wide open and this poor baby than went through 4 hours of surgery to be sewn back together,The third had its muzzle tied shut with bailing wire, And the forth had already lived in 3 homes by her 1st birthday. I no longer needed to research this issue. I am all for breeders debarking their dogs just to protect them from ending up with an owner who could do such a horrible thing or an owner debarking their dogs if they wish. You never know if you have an angry neighbor what could happen. There was a man in Maryland last year who left anti freeze out for his neighbors beagle due to his excessive barking. I know these are extreme cases but I have a feeling this happens more than we would imagine as well as them being abused in other ways. Chandler is a major Barker!!! He loves to talk and let's me know what he wants and when. If he had a different owner they may not have the love and patience I have with him. He has also taught Gypsy well and she chimes in with her high pitched bark amused to be his back up singer. They are quite a pair.

So to make a long story short I am for people having this choice.

 

[danisgoat]

Chandler and Gypsy are not debarked and neither was my first sheltie. I had never heard of it until last year when I noticed several breeder sites offering to debark their puppies. Not having any knowledge of this I thought I would search the internet and do some research. One of the first sites I came upon was Central Illinois Sheltie rescue they have a whole page about debarking with photos of dogs they rescued due to excessive barking. The first had oven cleaner sprayed down it's throat by it's horribly cruel owner. I hope they hung them by their *****. The second they found with it's throat slit wide open and this poor baby than went through 4 hours of surgery to be sewn back together,The third had its muzzle tied shut with bailing wire, And the forth had already lived in 3 homes by her 1st birthday. I no longer needed to research this issue. I am all for breeders debarking their dogs just to protect them from ending up with an owner who could do such a horrible thing or an owner debarking their dogs if they wish. You never know if you have an angry neighbor what could happen. There was a man in Maryland last year who left anti freeze out for his neighbors beagle due to his excessive barking. I know these are extreme cases but I have a feeling this happens more than we would imagine as well as them being abused in other ways. Chandler is a major Barker!!! He loves to talk and let's me know what he wants and when. If he had a different owner they may not have the love and patience I have with him. He has also taught Gypsy well and she chimes in with her high pitched bark amused to be his back up singer. They are quite a pair.

So to make a long story short I am for people having this choice.

I completely agree with all that you said.....

I know someone how had acid thrown over the fence onto her Sheltie because he barked too much.

I don't live in an area with houses close by, but if I did, I would seriously consider it. Especially if the barking became a point of contention between me and my dog.

 

[RonandJan]

My issue is that our government (state in this case but federal being no better) is taking time and resources to govern where it is none of their concern especially when there are more pressing issues at the table.

If the government is going to take a look at animals specifically, then lets get a really long hard look at the animal cruelty that is taking place in the CAFO's in this country and regulate the food industry, oh but Dog Forbid we tread there.