A woman is raising awareness of dog debarking after witnessing the impacts of the cruel procedure on her adopted pooch. Teresa Jack, 32, from Utah, US, spotted three-year-old corgi Watson in a rescue shelter five years ago and was told that he'd never be able to bark like a normal pup again.
His voice had been taken away because of complaints in his apartment building. Despite making the decision to operate on Watson, his family realised not long after that it was best to find him a new home. Lifelong corgi owner Teresa couldn't believe the horrific treatment he'd undergone and promised to take care of him.
She told the Mirror: "I had never even heard of the procedure. His previous owners still tried to market it to us as a selling point, so I don't think they even realised the cost this had for him."
Debarking or devocalisation is a surgical operation that involves removing parts of a dog's vocal cords to stop them from barking.
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is illegal in the UK but it is still permitted in many US states.
"Ultimately, whenever someone makes a decision to debark a dog, it's never in the dog's best interest," Teresa explained.
"It's always in the interest of the owners, the housing complex or the breeder. It takes away a dog's ability to warn someone they perceive as a threat or cry out for help."
Teresa said eight-year-old Watson has been her "most challenging dog to date" as he can no longer communicate in the only way he knows how.
The poor pooch previously lived with children, but now cannot be around kids "because he cannot speak so he will snap if boundaries are pushed".
"Watson is suspicious and always on guard. I can see anxiety in him and he can never relax anymore," Teresa said.
Once a gentle family pet, Watson now needs to wear a muzzle even when he is being cuddled indoors.
"We still spend time with him and show him love, and it's clear he craves it desperately," Teresa said.
"But he doesn't get the same amount of pets and affection other dogs do now because he needs really clear boundaries."
While Teresa has tried not to judge the family who had Watson before, she now has to "live with the consequences of their actions".
The dog lover is campaigning to ban the debarking of animals in all US states and prevent housing developers from requiring it under Watson's Law.
"Most veterinarians refuse to perform debarking, and it is no longer being taught in veterinary schools, but housing companies can still get a court order to force you to have this surgery on your dog," Teresa explained.
Canine behaviourist Devin Smith told the Mirror: "Since the surgical procedure involved in debarking is for convenience purposes only - similar to ear cropping and declawing - the UK government made it illegal.
"They deem it a form of mutilation because it involves removing part of a dog's vocal cords (which means that their bark is lessened or muted) when the owner or those living near the dog doesn't wish to listen to barking noises.
"There have been many cases where the surgery has left large amounts of scarring, and there have also been instances of regrowth around the surgery site later on in life, which can make it difficult for the dog to breathe as they get older.
"A dog will often bark when they have an issue, if they're in pain, stressed or anxious. They typically use barking to alert their owner that something isn't right.
"When you take this very important form of communication away from them, they will feel incredibly alone and distressed, which can lead to huge amounts of anxiety."
What do you think about debarking? Let us know in the comments.
