Ban on electric shock collars for dogs supported by Swindon MP

The Dogs Trust and Justin Tomlinson MP are calling for a ban on the sale of electric shock collars.

Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity has launched its #ShockinglyLegal campaign to help urge the Government to ban the sale of electronic shock collars. Justin Tomlinson MP for North Swindon attended a drop in event at the House of Commons to pledge his support to help ban the use and sale of these aversive training devices.

A recent poll1 revealed around a third (31%) of the public wrongly believe shock collars are already illegal, yet despite public opinion, buying and using one of these painful devices to correct a dog’s behaviour, is shockingly still lawful in England.

84% of people know that shock collars cause a dog pain, but the sad reality is that they are still readily available to buy at the click of a button. These devices can send between 100 to 6000 Volts2 to a dog’s neck, and have the capacity to continuously shock a dog for up to 11 terrifying seconds at a time. Research shows that physical effects can include yelping, squealing, crouching, and physiological signs of distress in direct response to an electric shock. It’s not just shock collars – spray and sonic collars are also widely for sale.

Justin has also worked closely with Dogs Trust for a number of years, including on its campaign to end puppy smuggling and ban third party sales of puppies. He has attended events on the issue and has used the local press to highlight the terrible practice of puppy smuggling.

Justin Tomlinson said: “I’m delighted to pledge my support to Dogs Trust in calling for a ban on the use and sale of electronic shock collars. These aversive training methods are outdated and cruel, and there is no need for them to be used when there are so many positive training methods available. This is a hugely important issue for dog welfare and I hope my support will help make a difference. ”

Rachel Casey Director of Canine Behaviour and Research at Dogs Trust explained: “We are appalled that it is still legal to buy and use electronic shock collars in England - 83% of dog owners polled said they wouldn’t use them so why on earth are they legal? It is both unnecessary and cruel to resort to the use of these collars on dogs. This type of device is not only painful for a dog, it can have a serious negative impact on their mental and physical wellbeing. A dog can’t understand when or why it’s being shocked and this can cause it immense distress, with many dogs exhibiting signs of anxiety and worsened behaviour as a result.”

“Positive based methods, such as using rewards like food, are the most effective and kindest way to train your dog, so there is absolutely no need for owners to even consider the use of these devices. We urge everyone who loves dogs to consider the impact that using these kinds of devices can have on our four-legged friends, and join with us in asking your MP for an immediate ban on their sale and their use.”