Electric shock collar ban in Wales

24.03.10

We have welcomed the National Assembly for Wales’ decision to ban the use of electric shock collars on dogs and cats in Wales.

This is the first ban of its kind in the United Kingdom, and the Welsh Assembly Government has used its devolved powers under section 12 of the Animal Welfare Act.

'Instruments of cruelty'

Claire Lawson, RSPCA public affairs manager for Wales said:
 

We are delighted with the stance that the Welsh Assembly Government has taken in banning the use of these instruments of cruelty.

They have been consigned to the dustbin of history and I hope the rest of the UK will follow suit and do the same.

Electric shock collars are used to remotely apply an electric shock, usually to the animals neck, to stop unwanted behaviour. But research clearly shows that the application of an electric shock causes both a physiological stress response and behaviours associated with pain, fear and stress in animals.

Long-term threat to an animal's welfare

We, the world's oldest animal welfare charity, responded to the Welsh Assembly Government consultations in 2008 and 2010 on the use of electric training aids. We argued that the use of such training devices can cause a long-term threat to an animal’s welfare.

Animals trained with these devices can show behaviours associated with pain and fear both during training and for some time afterwards. There is also a great potential for the misuse of these devices, either through ignorance or malice by those intent on deliberate cruelty.
 

Research has also shown that the use of punishment based techniques can result in, or make some behaviour problems worse.
 

We strongly believe that there is no place for these devices in modern animal training and recommend the use of reward based methods instead.

Find out more

• We believe all animals should have protection from harm, under law. Find out more about our work in changing the law.

• Read our expert advice to help you understand your pet's needs better in our pets.