Sen. leader seeks to ban devocalization

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - A Rhode Island lawmaker is looking to ban a procedure that permanently takes away the voice of a dog or a cat.

Senate Majority Leader Dominick J Ruggerio has introduced a bill that would ban the surgical procedure known as devocalization, or "debarking."

Ruggerio (D - Providence, North Providence) calls the surgery inhumane, and believes it should only be allowed during a medical emergency.

"This act is inhumane for any animal to go through. It is more inhumane to realize that, most often, it is for the benefit for the pet's owner or breeder. This act should be restricted to a medical necessity," said Ruggerio in a news release.

To perform the procedure, a surgeon takes out the animal's vocal cords through a small incision on its neck. Instead of an audible bark or purr, an animal with the surgery creates a raspy whisper.

As with any surgery there are risks involved, which include difficulty breathing, infection and chronic gagging.

Ruggerio's bill would only allow devocalization in Rhode Island if a licensed veterinarian has deemed it a medical necessity for the animal.

The procedure has been banned in several nations, including the United Kingdom, and in 2010 was outlawed in Massachusetts.