Although there is no reliable estimate as to how many dogs have had their vocal cords cut, veterinarians and other animal experts say that dogs with no bark can readily be found in private homes, on the show-dog circuit, and even on the turf of drug dealers, who are said to prefer their attack dogs silent. "They recover immediately and they don't ever seem to notice any difference," said Dr. Sharon L. Vanderlip, a San Diego vet who has been performing devocalization surgeries on dogs for more than 30 years.
