Electric Shock Devices:
What is an electric shock collar?
The electric shock collar is a device which is worn by the dog, they can be controlled by a hand held unit with a remote button or go off automatically. An electric shock (also known as a static correction) is delivered to the dog’s neck by two prongs which make contact with the skin.The level and frequency of pain and distress caused can be controlled by the handler who by pressing a button can increase or decrease the intensity and number of shocks delivered. Sometimes a waring bleep can be given first prior to the shock.
Collars and other devices can be freely brought and used by anyone. Their use is wide open to abuse by anyone of any age, who can use to punish without supervision of any kind.
How are they used?
Electric shock collars and devices can be used on dogs of all shapes, sizes, old dogs, puppies, sick dogs, nervous and frightened dogs and dogs of any disposition whatsoever.
These devices are used by dog owners and even some so called dog trainers. For example, we know of one trainer who used an electric shock collar on a unwanted Staffie cross in a kennel, the dog was highly stressed out and not coping with a kennel environment, he was chewing his bed and generally hyperactive and unsettled, the collar was used and a shock was given to ‘calm him down and stop him from jumping up at the mesh’. Those who work daily with dogs do hear of how these devices are being used and promoted, yet without written evidence on what is witnessed, there is little achieved.
Some see electric shock collars as a quick fix or advocate their use as a ‘last resort’. Those who work with and understand dogs how dogs learn know that their use is damaging and fails to address the underlying behavioural issues. Dogs make an association between a painful shock and what can be any number of factors in its environment at that point in time, such as the presence of another dog, or a human, any object, (for example - when the dog/human was near me I felt pain in my neck) this is dangerous as well as counter productive.
Training dogs through fear, pain and discomfort is not necessary or humane. POSITIVE, KIND methods, are the way forward, using reward based training is proven to train dogs reliably and most importantly does actually work.
Causing discomfort, fear and pain can cause a dog to react aggressively in self defence, it can also cause a dog to bolt which is of course very dangerous.
So how about a dog which wants to chase and/or kill sheep? If you live in an area where this is a problem to you - keep your dog on a lead and under control when around livestock or risk being prosecuted under the Protection of Livestock Act or worse. Then seek advice from a trainer who specialises in this type of problem, e.g., Angela Stockdale the dog aggression specialist.
As an organisation experienced with 'difficult' dogs we are sometimes asked by dog owners if using an electric shock collar would help reduce their dog to dog aggression issues – the answer is simply NO it will not and unless you want to damage your dog do not go down that route.
Opinions on Electric Shock Collars:
- APBC - Read what the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors has to say “Shock Collars - the Shocking Truth”
- Kennel Club - Electric Shock Dog Collars - How shocked are you? Kennel Club calls for a complete ban.
- APDT - the Association of Pet Dog Trainers said "“We are totally committed to having these barbaric pieces of equipment consigned to dog training history. It is our professional opinion that it is totally unacceptable to train dogs using such inhumane devices, and a complete ban should be implemented as soon as possible. Dogs are meant to be man’s best friend – and you don’t cause your best friend pain and fear in the name of education.”
- Dogs Trust - read Poppy's opinion on shock collars.
- Advocates For Animals - Why electric shock collars for dogs should be banned. Visit their web site to read a detailed report on the inhumane and unnecessary use of electric shock collars for dogs (2006)
Getting these devices banned - Lobbying Government:
The use of shock collars in training has been banned by the Armed Services, the Police and the Prison Service.
Your support is needed to help get these outdated devices totally banned –
because their use is abuse and not training.
So please support calls for an outright ban by contacting your own Member of Parliament and DEFRA.
To find out who your local MP is, please visit www.locata.co.uk/commons/ you can also telephone the House of Commons on 020 7219 3000.
Please write to your MP and let them know your views.
Your MP - The House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
The Kennel Club has produced a postcard which you can send directly to your own Member of Parliament. To download their postcard go to the Kennel Club website at:
www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/pressoffice/documents/KC-ElectricPostcard-060223.pdf
Scottish readers will also find a version of the card to send to their local MSP at www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/pressoffice/documents/Scottishpcard.pdf
EDM:
Please contact your member of parliament and ask them to support and sign Early Day Motion (EDM 1570). As of July 2007 it has 110 signatures. To read the text of the motion click here.
Petition:
There is a petition to the Prime Minister to ban electric shock collars; the deadline for signatures is 22nd July 2007. Electric Shock Collar Petition
Manufactures and advertisers:
If you see electric shock devices advertised and promoted, politely let your views be known. Be vigilant and do not support those who promote their use or condone their advertisement.
Parliamentary Bill:
The Electric Shock Training Devices Bill was introduced by Sarah McCarthy-Fry, the MP for Portsmouth North, it prohibits the sale, manufacture, hire, loan and importation or use of electric shock training devices on any animal. The Bill was aimed at all electric shock training devices, not just collars, devices such as mats and leads, which have appeared advertised on the internet recently.
DEFRA animal welfare minister Ben Bradshaw confirmed the Government’s current position. It did not support the Bill and thought that the issue would in time be dealt with through regulation and secondary legislation.
This Bill had its first reading in the House of Commons on December 13th 2006 and its second reading House of Commons on 27th April 2007, the Bill has been dropped, like many Bills are, due to current lack of Government support. The Bill has put the issue under the spotlight and pressure should and needs to be maintained.
To read the parliamentary discussion on the 27th April 2007 – go to: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070427/debtext/70427-0003.htm
Bill previously before Parliament:
The Animals (Electric Shock Collars) Bill was a Private Members Bill introduced by David Rendel MP.
It was a Bill to ban the manufacture, sale or use of collars which administer electric shocks to animals (not just dogs).
The Bill had its 1st reading in the House of Commons on 12th February 2003, but unfortunately it ran out of parliamentary time and there was no 2nd reading.
The Bill failed to get passed and in view of this, the Kennel Club launched a campaign to have Electric Shock Collars banned via the then proposed the Animal Welfare Bill.
DEFRA had asked for written evidence that the use of electric shock devices is cruel before it will consider supporting a ban.