The dog owners claimed their 6 dogs were “employees” on their Grants Pass, Oregon ​farm and that their barking was necessary to keep predators away from the sheep.

​Neighbors said the dogs were a major annoyance, for more than 10 YEARS, damaging the quality of life in their home.
 
A court agreed with the neighbors, awarding them $238,000 in damages and ordering the owners to “de-bark” (cut the vocal cords of) their dogs.
 
Here’s info: Oregon Live

And here:  Washington Post

Here’s what the American Veterinary Medical Association says about “de-barking,” (aka cutting a dog’s vocal cords):  AVMA

No one hates incessant barking more than I do, believe me, but guess what? How about implementing some training and exercise? Of course, that’s a lot of work, which most people are not willing to do, and these folks have SIX dogs. Ouch.
 
 
What do you think? Want to speak up against the “de-barking”? 
​
 
Here’s a petition protesting the ordered procedure: ​Animal Petitions.org

And another one: Change.org

​Do you agree or disagree with the court's ruling? If you agree, I'd love to hear your thoughts!