Owners or breeders generally request the procedure because of excessive animal vocalizations, complaining neighbors, or as an alternative to euthanasia due to a court order.
[4] The surgery may be performed via the animal's mouth, with a portion of the vocal folds removed using a biopsy punch, cautery tool, scissor, or laser.
[2] Chronic, excessive vocalization may be due to improper socialization or training, stress, boredom, fear, or frustration.
[citation needed] Spending more time with an animal, such as playing, walking, and other bonding activities, will keep them occupied and make them feel more at ease.
[citation needed] In some regions of the US and in the UK, convenience devocalization is considered a form of surgical mutilation.
The American Veterinary Medical Association's official position is that "canine devocalization should be performed only by qualified, licensed veterinarians as a final alternative after behavioral modification efforts to correct excessive vocalization have failed.
[12][13] The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association's position statement on devocalization of dogs states: "The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) discourages 'devocalization' of dogs unless it is the only alternative to euthanasia, and humane treatment and management methods have failed.
The ASPCA recommends surgery only if behavior modification techniques have failed, and the animal is at risk of losing its home or its life.
The procedure is outlawed as a form of mutilation in the United Kingdom and all countries that have signed the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals.
[citation needed] Debarking is specifically prohibited in the UK, along with ear cropping, tail docking, and declawing (cats too).
[19] In February 2009, 15-year-old Jordan Star of Needham, Massachusetts, filed a bill to outlaw performing convenience devocalization procedures upon cats and dogs.
[20] The bill was co-sponsored by Senator Scott Brown, with the title Logan's Law, after a debarked sheepdog.