hi, i dont think anyone is trying to start a debate, but probably just cant understand why you do want it removed? after all it is doing no harm,may help you find your dog if ever lost/stolen and even under local anthestic will still cause some discomfort for your dog? and then the added cost of having it removed? if you didnt put it there yourself you would not even know it was there so really the old saying 'why fix it if it aint broke' springs to mind? sorry not trying to tell you what to do but just cant understand the reason?