Friday, April 11, 2014

Devocalization of Animals


          The devocalization of animals has become a hot topic concerning the rights of animals. Many pet-owners and animal testing labs have animals undergo the surgery for their own benefit, but do not realize the suffering that comes along with the surgery. Each state differs with the loopoles of the law. There is a current petition to try and make the surgery illegal in New York. :

“Sometimes dogs and cats must undergo vocal cord surgery 

to treat disease, like cancer, or to correct a birth defect. 

But when performed for the sole purpose of suppressing 

the animal’s voice, it is widely considered an act of cruelty.”



            The hope in New York is to pass the law that prohibits the surgery that removes animals vocal cords, unless it is for medical reasons. The dates that concern this petition follow:
General Election - November 4, 2014
Primary Election -June 24, 2014



The information about the state laws listed below are from the Animal Law Coalition 

Massachusetts - The lone sate that keeps dogs and cats safe from devocalization, with the support of the Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets.

California and Rhode Island - Both states have the “Landlord Law” which prevents landlords from forcing tenants to remove animals vocal cords - but that is where the law stops. There is no protection against the surgery for any other reason, and many pet owners and animal testing labs still endorse the practice.

Pennsylvania - Legal as long as the practice is performed by a vet. But that does not apply for cats, apparently underground devocalization is legal for felines.

Ohio - The only dogs that are protected from the devocalization law are ones that are proved to be aggressive.. That way people can hear the dog before it attacks. Other than that, the rest of the dogs and cats are fair game for the surgery.

New Jersey - The surgery is for vets to perform only and must believe there is a realistic reason for the surgery to be done.


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