England is to introduce a new law banning the use of shock collars that deliver an electric or static shock to dogs wearing them
The decision, which becomes legislation on February 1 next year, leaves Northern Ireland to be the only region of the UK to have no legal restrictions on the use or sale of shock collars which can 'cause physical and psychological harm'.
In Wales these electric shock collars were banned in 2010 and anyone found guilty of using them on a dog or cat is liable to up to a year in prison and/or a fine.
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In 2018, the Scottish Government published guidance advising against the use of these devices and other aversive training methods. although campaigners continue to push for a full ban.
What are electric shock collars?
- A device which passes an electric current through metal contact points triggering an electric signal
- It delivers an electric shock to a dog’s neck or throat
- The electric signal can range from a mild sensation to a painful shock
- The shock can last for up to 11 seconds at a time
- Remote controls can work up to a radius of two miles
- Shock collars may be sold as training devices
- Increasing numbers of companies are pulling them from the shelves
The Kennel Club UK states that 5% of dog owners reportedly use electric shock collars, and complete ban on their use across the UK would mean half a million of the country's 10 million pet dogs could be saved from being trained using these devices.
The UK Kennel Club, who described them as “highly aversive”, says: “The announcement from Westminster comes 13 years after these cruel and outdated devices were banned in Wales, under The Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (Wales) Regulations and they have also recently been banned in France, as of January 2023.
“Following a cross-welfare organisation event in Westminster in November 2022, co-hosted by The Kennel Club, the organisation also continues to ramp up its campaign to see regulations introduced in Scotland following the Scottish Government’s guidance condemning the use of shock collars in 2018, has been shown to be ineffective.
“There is wide-ranging evidence demonstrating the detrimental effect that these can have on the welfare of dogs.
“In 2019, a study carried out by the University of Lincoln showed that electric shock collars compromised dog’s wellbeing, even when used by ‘professional’ e-collar trainers, and were no more effective in training than positive reinforcement methods.”
Mark Beazley, Chief Executive of The Kennel Club said: “The legislation banning electric shock collars in England, which comes into force next year, is a historic moment for animal welfare and will put an end to the misery and suffering of countless dogs who are still subject to these cruel and unnecessary devices.
“There is simply no excuse for using these devices, which cause physical and psychological harm, especially given the vast array of positive training methods available.
“This is the culmination of over a decade of campaigning for us and we applaud Defra for helping to safeguard the welfare of our nation’s much-loved dogs. More action is urgently needed in Scotland, where regulations are needed to replace the ineffective guidance currently in place, and we will not rest until we see the complete ban on these devices that cause suffering and harm.”
Research funded by DEFRA in 2014 demonstrated that shock collars can have a detrimental effect on the welfare of dogs by causing them unnecessary harm and suffering.
More recent studies reached similar conclusions, highlighting that usage of the device poses a risk to dog welfare and causes unnecessary suffering, as well as indicating there is little evidence of improved behavioural outcomes.
Research has shown that 25% of dogs trained with electric shock collars showed signs of stress in comparison to less than 5% of dogs trained without the device.
Concerns have also been raised about the potential for owners and electric shock collar users to misuse or abuse the devices. A review of evidence commissioned by the Welsh Government demonstrated that owners do not typically read the manufacturers’ instructions prior to use and that advice on correct usage is not consistently followed.
The UK Kennel Club said: “We believe that this raises serious concerns about inconsistent use and potential misuse of the devices. We fully support a total ban on the use and sale of electric shock collars. As such, we have extensively lobbied – and continue to lobby – the relevant authorities to prohibit shock collars from being used to train dogs.
“We are firmly against the use of any aversive training devices. Instead, we recommend that pet owners and trainers use positive, rewards-based tools and methods when training their dog.
“Rewards-based training methods are proven to be effective and also do not compromise animal health or welfare.
“We recommend that dog owners find out more about The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme and/or find a Kennel Club accredited instructor before embarking on their training journey.”
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