The Kennel Club is encouraging dog owners to write to their politicians to persuade Government to ban the sale and use of electronic shock collars as part of the proposed Animal Welfare Bill.
This call to action follows the KC’s campaign last year to see the product banned and the request from the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for scientific evidence that proves ‘cruelty’ to support a ban.

The KC has now obtained independent scientific evidence which proves that the use of these products ‘are not only unpleasant but also painful and frightening’ and ‘may influence the dog’s well being in the long term in a negative way.’

In light of this evidence - and two other papers that have been submitted – the Kennel Club has requested that DEFRA now bans the use of these products as part of the proposed Animal Welfare Bill.

The paperwork was submitted to DEFRA recently, but in order for the department to fully appreciate the strength of feeling against the use of the product, now is the time to lobby politicians on a local level so that MPs can make representations to DEFRA.

Said Caroline Kisko, Secretary to the Kennel Club, "The collar trains the dog to respond out of fear of further punishment - having received a shock when it does not perform what is asked of it - rather than from a natural willingness to obey. This is not the type of training method that the Kennel Club would endorse.

Dog training is most effective using positive methods. Furthermore, an angry or inferior trainer or even novice owner could misuse a collar to abuse and punish. It is unacceptable that these products are readily available by mail order, via retail outlets and on the internet, and are therefore available to anyone who, with no training or supervision whatsoever, can place them on a dog and administer 'correctional' treatment."

Caroline concluded, "Please do write to your politician regarding this very important welfare issue as we do not see how a product such as this has a place in a civilised society. It would be a real success for dogs in general if we could get these products banned, but we need the help of dog owners to achieve this."

Effective

The Kennel Club has issued a suggested form of words that are published below that you may wish to use when writing to your politician, although using your own phrases is even more effective. Local politician’s details can be found at www.upmystreet.com or alternatively contact your local library.

Suggested form of words –

Dear (insert politicians name)

I am writing to you to encourage Government to ban the sale and use of electronic shock collars as part of the proposed Animal Welfare Bill.

Electronic shock collars worn around the neck of a dog have essentially one function, which is to deliver a painful stimulus to a dog.

A shock collar trains a dog to respond out of fear of further punishment - having received a shock when it does not perform what is asked of it - rather than a natural willingness to obey.

Shock collars are readily available by mail order, via retail outlets and on the Internet. There is no restriction on them being sold to unscrupulous people, or people with little or no experience in training. Anyone can place it on a dog and administer 'correctional' treatment. I do not view this as acceptable. Furthermore, I have the concern that an angry or inferior trainer or even novice owner could misuse a collar to abuse and punish.

The Kennel Club implemented a campaign last year to see the product banned as part of the proposed Animal Welfare Bill and the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) requested scientific evidence that proves ‘cruelty’ to support a ban.

The Kennel Club has now obtained independent scientific evidence which proves that the use of these products is ‘not only unpleasant but also painful and frightening’ and ‘may influence the dog’s well being in the long term in a negative way.’ In light of this evidence - and two other papers submitted – the Kennel Club has requested that DEFRA now bans the use of these products as part of the proposed Animal Welfare Bill.

Please bring pressure to bear on DEFRA to ban the sale and use of these products as I, like the Kennel Club, do not see how a product such as this has any place in a civilised society.
I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

Yours faithfully,
(Name)