An Oregon appeals court just ruled a couple must sever their dog’s vocal cords in a procedure known as debarking or devocalization.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/402/644/377/let-them-bark-quotstop-debarkingquot-in-all-states/
Exposing the Big Game
Forget Hunters' Feeble Rationalizations and Trust Your Gut Feelings: Making Sport of Killing Is Not Healthy Human Behavior
Exposing the Big Game 
I had read about this and I just could not believe it. Then they say the dogs aren’t traditionally used to guard herds. So what? It’s a free country – this family wants to have them guarding their herds. It is very barbaric for a court, much less neighbors, to demand such a thing. My verdict? Get a pair of f*cking earplugs. *bangs gavel* Next!
Seriously, I think this family ought to continue to challenge this decision. They have a right to use non-lethal methods to protect their livestock. Perhaps therein lies the problem!
Signed. I had a neighbor whose dog liked being outside in the yard for a few hours on summer nights. Sometimes he would bark. I found a great solution. They’re called ear plugs.
I remember thinking that how could anyone even hear barking dogs that much on or over 10 acres? Sounds strange to me. I think this family ought to file their own counter-suit.
Yes.
If the dogs are like the ones pictured, who looks like a Great Pyrenees, and who are most definitely bred to guard livestock, and they do bark. Whoever tried to make a case saying they are not traditional livestock dogs is wrong.