Debarking, or evocalization, is a controversial surgical procedure, similar to a laryngectomy, applied to dogs to permanently stop them from barking. Debarking reduces the volume and pitch of a dog's bark making it sound more as if the dog is hoarse or whispering. This is done in response to problematic amounts of barking. Up to 35% of dog owners report problems with barking, which can cause disputes and legal problems . Dog Barking is something reported as unpleasant and has been blamed for people losing their sanity and poisoning their neighbor's barking dogs.