Debarking Ban has Unanimously Passed Senate—Virginians, It’s Time to Contact Your Delegate!

Important Update (February 25, 2026): Senate Bill 707 was reported to the full House of Delegates by the Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee on February 25. Help ensure it passes the full House by contacting your Delegate!

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Dogs bark to express anxiety, fear, boredom, excitement and joy, to alert their families and to seek their attention, among other reasons. It is natural behavior, just as spoken communication is to humans, but some misguided people—instead of working to resolve the reason for the dog’s distress—resort to debarking dogs who they believe bark excessively.

Debarking (ventriculocordectomy) is an invasive surgical procedure that involves removing a large amount of a dog’s laryngeal tissue (vocal cords). It involves a great deal of postoperative pain and potential complications such as bleeding, swelling, infection, aspiration pneumonia, and narrowing of the throat, which can leave a dog susceptible to respiratory distress and heat and exercise intolerance. Debarking does not eliminate a dog’s urge or even ability to bark. It leaves dogs with a raspy, hoarse bark.

Debarking is outdated and ineffective, so many veterinarians refuse to perform the surgery, and several states have banned the procedure or placed restrictions on performing it. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) opposes it when not medically necessary, and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recognizes its negative impact on animal welfare and states “Devocalization deprives the dog from normal engagement in this natural behavior.”

To prevent dogs in Virginia from being subjected to this painful surgery, Senator J.D. "Danny" Diggs (Senate District 24) has introduced SB 707, which would prohibit veterinarians from performing a surgical devocalization procedure except when necessary to treat or relieve injury, disease, or congenital defect that is causing or may cause the dog physical pain or harm.

Please help us ensure the bill continues to advance by urging your Delegate to vote yes on SB 707.

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