I often find myself pondering whether a day will ever arrive when we can fully eradicate animal cruelty.
Unfortunately, each passing day reminds us of the harsh reality of how some individuals mistreat our defenseless furry friends.
Through the experiences of Watson, I became aware of the disturbing reality behind the debarking procedure.
For those who may not know, debarking is a surgical intervention that involves the partial removal of a dog’s vocal cords to silence them.
Watson’s Heartbreaking Tale
Theresa Jack, a devoted Corgi owner from Utah, took in Watson when he was just three. She always felt his story deserved to be shared, prompting her to raise awareness on TikTok about everything he had gone through.
Prior to his adoption by Theresa, Watson belonged to another family who subjected him to the debarking procedure.
PETA explains that debarking, also known as devocalization, is a “surgical intervention that removes significant portions of laryngeal tissue, resulting in intense postoperative pain.”
This procedure not only inflicts physical suffering but also inflicts considerable psychological trauma on the animals.
They lose their inherent means of expression—the ability to convey joy, pain, happiness, or even fear.
When Watson’s previous family relocated to an apartment, his barking triggered complaints from neighbors.
As a result, the housing complex presented the family with an ultimatum: either debark Watson or he would be taken away.
“The family opted for the debarking procedure just weeks before they chose to rehome him. So, this dog lost both his voice and his family within the same month,” Theresa expressed in her TikTok video.
She acknowledged that while she has struggled not to judge Watson’s previous family, the impact of their decisions on this innocent dog is sometimes too much to bear.
“How can any creature cope after such overwhelming loss?” Theresa mused, and I share her sentiments.
In his previous environment, Watson was never aggressive and had never bitten anyone. However, he now exhibits snappy behavior due to his inability to communicate his needs after the surgery.
As per Theresa, Watson now needs to wear a muzzle in public to ensure he doesn’t unintentionally hurt anyone. “The frustration in his eyes is evident. When we humans can’t express ourselves verbally, we rely on our hands and gestures. When a dog loses its voice, they resort to using their teeth,” she shared with Newsweek.
Watson’s Law: A Push to Ban Debarking of Animals
Theresa is on a mission to raise awareness about the impact of this procedure and the damage it has caused to her beloved Watson.
Currently, six states have laws in place to limit debarking under specific circumstances; however, if you ask Theresa and Watson, it should be banned everywhere.
“Having lived with Watson’s condition, I sometimes forget how truly heartbreaking it is for someone meeting him for the first time to hear his story. That realization spurred me to seek change, leading me to create a petition,” Theresa shared.
She has gathered over 75,000 signatures on a petition aimed at banning the debarking of animals and preventing housing developers from imposing it in Utah.
“Watson had his voice taken away from him, and now it is my duty to speak on his behalf,” Theresa expressed.
Theresa’s aim is to see Watson’s Law enacted by 2024, but regardless of the outcome, she hopes that sharing Watson’s story will prompt people to reconsider subjecting their dogs to this dreadful procedure.
