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Electric
collars questioned
Mr
David Rendal, MP for Newbury, last week presented to the House
of Commons the Animals (Electric Shock Collars) bill which seeks
to ban the use of electric shock collars as a training aid.
The bill, presented for the second time by Mr Rendal who also
spoke out about them in February 1997, was supported by the Kennel
Club in its early stages when they made a presentation to the
Associate Parliament Group for Animal Welfare. The group subsequently
wrote to DEFRA expressing its concerns. The Bill fell because
of formal opposition.
The subject of electric shock collars has also been discussed
by the Dog Legislation Advisory Group founded in 2001 and of which
the Kennel is a constituent member.
Aware of the MP’s positive stance, in July 1997 the Kennel
Club issued a press release suggesting that such ‘aids’
were not sold at KC licensed events. In later years the subject
focussed the minds of other concerned parties including the Association
of Professional Dog Trainers.
The use of such collars was banned from use in government departments
such as the MoD, the police and the prison service, all of whom
were using them as a training aid after the successful lobbying
by animal welfare agencies.
It is now thought that the proposed ban may be incorporated in
the Animal Welfare Bill.
Echoing the concerns of all, the KC General Committee at its meeting
on July 22nd 1997 indicated that such equipment should not be
sold at KC licensed shows. This was said to be a reflection of
the KC Code of Practice which clearly states that ‘preference
should be given to motivational methods of training which take
into account the breed and nature of each individual dog’. |
