Sam, I agree with you that both the practices you mentioned are horrible.For one thing, if they would bother to look at other cities that have used poisoned feed, they would find that it isnt just the pidgeons who eat it,it's going to be songbirds,and robins,and all kinds of other species.Then there will be the cats,hawks,and foxes who get ahold of a poisoned pidgeon,and in turn are poisoned themselves.It just doesn't work.

As for cutting the dogs vocal chords,thats a practice that actually occurs daily.many of the people who live in cities,in apartments,choose to have that done to thier "companions" rather than try to train them NOT to bark.But it isnt the only cruel practice out there, by any means.Tail docking,ear cutting,and declawing are all cruel.People think the only way to keep a cat from clawing up the furniture is to declaw.What they dont realize,is that it isnt just the claw that gets removed.The vet removes the toe,up to the first digit.Imagine if someone did that to you-on all ten fingers.Tails are there for balance,and a dog with a docked tail will never have the balance it should have,not to mention,the painful scarring.Same with ears,people do that for cosmetic purposes-to give the dog an ''alert" look.What they do is cut the dogs hearing by almost 50%.

An ordinance was passed in one city out in California,making it illegal to do ANY of those things to companion animals,based on the cruel nature of it all.They also have a law saying that no one "owns" an animal, but are their caretakers,and are responsible for ALL the animals care.Right now, veterinarians are suing,saying that it's going to cut thier business if they cant do tail docks,declaws,and vocal chord cutting.I say,a responsible vet would NEVER agree to do any of those things,based on the pain it causes the poor animal.

If anyone wants a dog that doesnt bark, they should look into the breeds that dont naturally,like Basenjis.

OK, I'll get off my soapbox,now.