parking dog
Mayukh Saha
Mayukh Saha
June 10, 2022 ·  2 min read

Man Who Suggested Removing Dog’s Vocal Cords No Longer With District Attorney’s Office

An assistant district attorney has been fired from their job after he apparently suggested the surgical removal of a dog’s vocal cords due to noise complaints. Needless to say, he is no longer under the employment of the North Carolina office.

The District Attorney of the state, Ashley Welch, went on to state, “I do not condone, support, or approve of his suggestion.” Welch confirmed that this statement by the ex-Assistant DA was made involving a 7-year-old Great Pyrenees. Apparently, the barking noise of Leo, the dog, had violated a city noise ordinance quite a few times. “Whether offered in jest or seriousness, the suggestion was completely inappropriate.”

Michael Eddings, the owner of Leo, has a completely different perspective of the situation. He stated that his dog didn’t bark any more than other dogs.

“Leo’s bark does travel, but it’s just because he’s 120 pounds. I have a neighbor that has three or four dogs that bark. And my neighbor across the street has dogs that bark. So, I think singling us out for one dog is a little ridiculous.”

Assistant District Attorney Thinks Removing Dog’s Vocal Cords Would Solve Barking Problem

Leo the dog.
Image Credits: WLOS

During the initial court appearance for Eddings, he admitted to being quite stunned when he heard the representative from Graham County suggest something so abhorrent. Apparently, he offered a plea deal with this proposition.

“He said that if you have the vocal cords removed surgically, they would drop all charges. It’s crazy; it is inhumane.”

According to the noise ordinance of Graham County- they haven’t yet defined “quiet hour”. Interestingly, this ordinance does have a specification between unnecessary and disturbing noise. Both of the categories have a very simple notification. The noise should not be audible over a distance of 50 feet. 

Despite the ridiculous sentence offered by the assistant district attorney, Leo and Michael are still not off the hook. Eddings will have to present himself before the court in October. He mentioned, “We’re willing to negotiate. We’ll put up a fence, things like that, but I’m not going to put on a barking collar and I’m not going to have surgery.”

Keep Reaidng: Dogs are Born with Ears and Tails. They Should Get to Keep Them

Sources

  1. “After barking complaints, county recommends removing vocal cords of Great Pyrenees” The National Desk. June 1, 2022
  2. Man who suggested removing dog’s vocal cords no longer with district attorney’s office.” News Channel ABC12. Krity Kepley- Steward. June 7, 2022.