Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Shock Collars to be Banned in Wales

Last week the Welsh Assembly said it would ban electric shock collars from being used in Wales. They will be the first British assembly to do this following the Kennel Club (KC) campaign last autumn when they called for a public consultation on a ban in Wales.

Details of the ban will now be drawn up. They may also look at whether or not the sale and possession of electric shock collars should also be banned.

Wrexham AM (Assembly Member), Lesley Griffiths said:

“I am in complete agreement with this ban on these cruel shock devices. I have always believed there are more effective ways of assisting training and curing behavioural difficulties with dogs – ways that do not rely on this kind of cruelty. At the end of last year, I asked Wrexham people to take part in the consultation on shock collars. I know the majority of people were in favour of a ban. Now, their voices have been heard on this issue and Wales will be leading the way on introducing legislation in the UK, to end this shameful practice.”

Plaid Cymru AM, Janet Ryder said:

“Dogs shouldn’t have to suffer what at best is uncivilised treatment and at worst, cruel and unnecessarily painful treatment that can cause lasting emotional and physical damage to dogs. I find it difficult to understand why any pet owner would want to use these methods anyway. I very much hope that the ban will extend to the use, sale and possession of these so-called training aids and related items like wireless leads and crates.”

The RSPCA was please at the decision and David Bowles, RSPCA Head of External Affairs said:

“We are delighted with the stance that the Welsh Assembly Government has taken in banning the use of these instruments of cruelty and we hope that the Welsh Assembly will go as far as to ban the sale and possession. This is the first major piece of legislation in Wales and England under the Animal Welfare Act and we fully support and congratulate the Minister on her commitment to improving the standards of animal welfare in Wales.”

There are, however, some parties who do not welcome the news.

A spokesman for The Electronic Collars Manufacturer’s Associations, (ECMA), said:

“ECMA are both puzzled and disappointed by the decision to ban electronic training collars in Wales. The move denies the almost universal experience of owners of electronic training collars, who say that they bring enormous benefits to pet and owner and in many cases have saved animals lives. An announcement on shock collars is expected shortly in Scotland and ECMA is hopeful that the Scottish Government will adopt a more moderate approach based on ‘common sense and solid scientific research”

The Kennel Club (KC) are campaigning for a similar ban in England but it doesn’t look likely too soon.

Personally, I would welcome a ban on these. They are, in my opinion, nothing short of cruelty.