Leading dog welfare groups are calling on the Scottish Government to introduce a nationwide ban of the use of 'harmful' electric shock dog collars.
The Scottish SPCA and Kennel Club have welcomed a recent motion tabled by North East Scotland MSP Maurice Golden as he calls for 'tougher regulations' on the devices.
Shock collars deliver an electric current to the dog’s neck through a remote control for up to 11 seconds within a two-mile radius, meaning an animal not within sight of its owner can still receive the painful stimulus.
Recent research found that electric shock collars were no more effective than positive reinforcement and were harmful to the well-being of dogs.
The SSPCA says the collars can cause 'physical pain and long-term fear' in dogs and can have negative welfare implications.
The Scottish Government introduced guidance condemning the use of shock collars in 2018 with a review in 2021, and hailed this an 'effective ban' on the use of the devices.
However, welfare groups say the advisory guidance has not stopped reports of shock collars being used. The Scottish SPCA received 47 reports to its animal helpline regarding electric shock collars being used on dogs from 2019 to 2021.
Scottish SPCA chief executive, Kirsteen Campbell said: "We have been rehabilitating dogs for decades without using methods that cause fear or pain. The Society has long advocated that only positive reinforcement based training is used for dogs.
"Electric shock collars can have negative welfare implications, causing physical pain and long-term fear."
Shock collars have been banned in Wales since 2010 under The Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (Wales) Regulations.
"We applaud the Welsh Government for introducing a ban on e-collars and we hope that Scotland will follow suit and consider more humane methods to address behavioural issues with our dogs," Ms Campbell added.
Maurice Golden MSP has tabled a motion calling on the Scottish Government to prohibit the use of shock collars completely.
The Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party MSP said: "Electric shock collars are not only harmful to our pets, but extensive research has clearly shown that they fundamentally do not fix the cause of 'undesirable' behaviour.
"The use of these inappropriate training devices is unacceptable and we urgently need tougher regulations that prohibit the use of them completely."
Mark Beazley, Chief Executive at The Kennel Club, says they have long campaigned for a ban on electric shock collars.
"We are pleased to see that Maurice Golden MSP has brought the issue forward once again in the Scottish Parliament," he said.
"We were delighted when the Scottish Government pledged to ban the use of these devices in 2018. Unfortunately, this has since proven to be ineffective, and as such we believe that regulations urgently need to be introduced in order to stop the unnecessary suffering of dogs."
The Kennel Club and SSPCA are encouraging the public to write to their MSP to urge them to pledge their support for this motion.
A Scottish Government spokesperson tole the Record: "The use of electronic dog training collars is currently being investigated by the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission and we expect the results of this investigation to be published later this year.
"Scotland is a nation of pet lovers and it is vital that those who have pets practice responsible ownership to ensure the highest standards of welfare."
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