Wales’ Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones, has announced that subject to approval by the National Assembly, the use of collars designed to administer an electric shock to dogs or cats will be banned in Wales, the first ban of its kind in the UK.
The announcement follows a third consultation on the draft legislation, held between 21 December 2009 and 9 February 2010.
The majority of the responses to all three consultations support the view that Electronic Training devices (electronic collars) should not be used and that there are effective positive training alternatives.
Announcing her decision, Elin Jones said: ‘On 25 June 2008 I announced my intention, subject to consultation, to introduce legislation to ban the use of electronic training devices in Wales. Following careful consideration of the responses to the consultation and with a view to enhancing animal welfare in Wales, I have today laid legislation before the National Assembly for Wales which will ban the use of electric shock collars in Wales.
‘This has not been an easy subject to examine. There is genuinely a large degree of concern about how these devices are improperly used, in contrast to responses from people who have used them and found they have worked in stopping an animal from misbehaving.
‘However, the Welsh Assembly Government takes animal welfare very seriously and I am confident that the approach I am announcing today will go a long way to promote the welfare of dogs and cats in Wales.’
Consideration
Following consideration of the responses on the second consultation, Ministers agreed to tighten up the original proposals by removing the exemptions subject to use in clinical situations or the use by the police using tasers.
The Minister also confirmed that the Welsh Assembly Government has notified the European Commission the intention to make these Regulations twice under the terms of the Technical Standards Directive.
The KC’s Caroline Kisko, said: ‘After almost thirteen years of campaigning in the UK and four years of campaigning in Wales, this truly is a milestone.
We are delighted by the Minister’s announcement. Electric shock collars train dogs through pain and through fear, they are a cruel, outdated and unsuitable method of training dogs. A YouGov survey about electric shock collars, commissioned by the Kennel Club in 2009 , that 70% disapproved of the use of electric shock collars on dogs, with only 9% of people approving of their use.* We will continue to urge AMs to pass these regulations which will show that Wales is clearly leading the way on this important welfare issue.”
Clarissa Baldwin, Dogs Trust CEO commented: ‘Dogs Trust is delighted that a complete ban on electric shock collars has been announced in Wales. We have long campaigned against their use and have worked closely with Elin Jones AM on this and other dog welfare issues. We applaud this progress and hope that England will follow suit.
‘Aversive training techniques, which include electric shock collars can cause pain and distress. The use of such techniques is likely to compromise the welfare of dogs and may in fact worsen behavioural problems. Dogs Trust believes that the use of electric shock collars is unacceptable from a welfare perspective and is actually unnecessary and ineffective. The charity believes that every dog should be trained using kind, fair and reward-based methods. These are proven to be highly successful in modifying behaviour including aggression, without subjecting dogs to cruelty.’
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