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ARCHIVE › Cruel Cut: Devocalization
the truth
the truth
Cruel. Inhumane. Unnecessary.
After yellow Labrador Stella's vocal cords are slashed, espensive corrective surgery is required to save her life. But
nothing can save her voice. Stella, like many dogs who undergo devocalization — a surgery of convenience for humans
annoyed by barks, cries, yelps — struggles to breathe post-procedure. Scar tissue obstructs 50 percent of her airway.
Devocalization is essentially a maiming that benefits humans, never animals. The bloody laceration leaves dogs or cats mute,
some with impaired breathing for life.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has historically sanctioned devocalization, cutting vocal cords to stifle a dog or cat's voice. A dangerous, painful surgery even in the hands of qualified vets, devocalization is brutal punishment for the “crime” of communication. No vet should ever do this to an animal. No veterinary association should ever condone it. But while AVMA discourages devocalization, it “considers medically therapeutic laryngeal surgery, performed by qualified, licensed veterinarians, to be appropriate veterinary care.” Despite public outcry, AVMA's Executive Board has proposed a new policy that will entrench veterinary support for devocalization. AVMA's proposed policy is up for vote soon. Take action. Your effort can spare dogs and cats from the cruelest cut.
AVMA's policy protects veterinary, breeding and animal research industries that profit from devocalization — but not animals who undergo needless surgery with long-term risk for breathing and swallowing problems, gagging, coughing… or even death. Animals may suffer pain, stress and repeat surgeries. And sadly, stealing a cat's meow or a dog's bark does not
ensure a home. In some cases, the mutilation leads to euthanasia or abandonment. Ask AVMA to adopt the position of concerned veterinarians who oppose vocal cord surgery under all circumstances, except to treat a life-threatening ailment like cancer. Call-Fax-Email-Tweet. Tell AVMA: “Stop justifying cruelty. No vet should cut vocal cords to stifle a dog or cat's voice! No veterinary association should back it for any reason.“
Devocalization — the cutting of vocal cord tissue just to alter or remove a dog or cat's voice — is widely considered an act
of animal cruelty even when performed by a veterinarian. Compassionate people everywhere urge the AVMA to join animal
shelters, advocacy groups and caring veterinarians who oppose use of vocal cord surgery as behavioral intervention.
Attitudes about animals have evolved, including awareness that surgery to mask behavior is patently cruel. We hope AVMA will
evolve too.
At present, AVMA is poised to vote on a policy that will hurt more animals. The proposed position condones devocalization if
used as a “final alternative.” It is unacceptable for any animal to undergo a needless procedure with long-term risk for
breathing and swallowing problems, gagging, coughing, pain and corrective surgeries. Moreover, no vet can possibly know if a
guardian pursued proper care, along with all other options. AVMA's position legitimizes vocal cord surgery merely to stifle an
animal's voice, a choice that is never humane.
And sadly, devocalization does not ensure a home for any dog or cat. In some cases, it has led to euthanasia or abandonment.
I urge AVMA to adopt the humane position of concerned veterinarians who oppose vocal cord surgery under all circumstances,
except to treat a life-threatening physical ailment like cancer.
AVMA should advise the public that vocal cord surgery is always dangerous and never an acceptable way to cope with barking or
meowing. As part of this humane position, AVMA ought to stress wise selection of dog or cat types, responsible sheltering and
training, and the lifetime commitment involved in their care. This stance encourages compassionate and conscientious
stewardship of companion animals. Sanctioning devocalization does not.
CALL/FAX AVMA
Weekdays, 8:30 am to 4:45 pm, Central Standard Time
phone: 1-847-285-6618 or 1-800-248-2862, ext. 7
fax: 1-847-925-1329
For the sake of animals, be calm, brief and polite. Tell AVMA it is high time to take
an unequivocal stand against devocalization; cutting vocal cords to stifle a voice is
an act of cruelty that no vet should ever perform, no veterinary association should
ever condone.
American Veterinary Medical Association
Headquarters, 1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100
Schaumburg, IL 60173-4360
ph: 800-248-2862; fax: 847-925-1329
American Veterinary Medical Association
Governmental Relations Division
1910 Sunderland Place, NW
Washington, DC 20036-1642
ph: 800-321-1473; fax: 202-842-4360
POST MESSAGE BELOW TO FACEBOOK
Act Now To End Dog/Cat Devocalization. On 1/3/13, American Veterinary Medical Assn. votes on a policy that will
protect veterinary, breeding and animal-testing profits, but leave dogs/cats vulnerable to mutilation.
Call/Fax/Email/Tweet. Tell AVMA: “Stop justifying cruelty. No vet should cut vocal cords to stifle a dog or
cat’s voice! No veterinary association should condone it.”
about web petitions
When you use the web petition instead of direct-send, your comments — and everyone else's — come from one place: Our website server.
WEB PETITIONS REQUIRE THE LEAST EFFORT, BUT SOMETIMES CAN:
Create a spam effect that angers recipients and hurts outcome for animals.
Compel recipients to block the entire petition, so no one's comments get through.
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source of information & references
Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets led the campaign to pass the first-ever statewide ban on devocalization in
Massachusetts, and continues to consult with lawmakers and advocacy groups nationally about devocalization. Kinship Circle provided instrumental help in passage of this landmark law.
This alert is a project of Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets and Friends of
Animals
DISCLAIMERInformation in these materials is verified with original source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility
for accuracy of information or for consequences of its use. Nothing on this website intends to encourage illegal action in
whatever country you are reading it in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment or unlawful
action. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.
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emails and/or social media. Government, corporate or other websites may be outdated or incorrect.
DISCLAIMER: Information in these materials is verified with original source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for accuracy of information or for consequences of its use. Nothing on this website intends to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment or unlawful action. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.
EMAIL ADDRESSES: Kinship Circle cannot guarantee validity of email addresses. During a campaign, recipients may change or disable their email addresses. Email addresses obtained from government or other official websites may be outdated or incorrect.
Kinship Circle is a nonprofit focused in: Animal Cruelty Investigation & Action, Humane Education, and Disaster Animal Response.
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