The Kennel Club, one of the largest organisations dedicated to dog health and welfare, has today (16 August) welcomed support from a Norfolk MP on a ban on shock collars.
Duncan Baker, MP for North Norfolk, shared support for a ban on the devices, which punish a dog for unwanted behaviour by delivering a shock to their neck via a remote control. He tweeted: “I’m proud to be supporting the Government’s ban on the use of hand-held remote controlled electric-collar devices. This is really positive news, and will only add to the Government’s fantastic record on animal welfare.”
The Kennel Club has campaigned for a ban on electric shock collars for over 10 years, with recent statistics released by the organisation showing that the majority of the public (77 per cent) also support a ban.
Whilst the Government has committed to this, no date has been set for the final stage of the law to be passed through Parliament, putting it at risk of being dropped completely. The Kennel Club is urging the Government not to delay and asking supportive constituents and dog lovers in Norfolk to write to Defra to show their support for the ban. A template letter is available on The Kennel Club website: thekennelclub.org.uk/banshockcollars
Extensive evidence, including research funded by Defra – the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – shows that shock collars not only cause unnecessary harm and suffering for dogs, but they also do not create a greater deterrent for disobedience and do not result in better learning or behavioural outcomes.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council have also highlighted that the vast majority of livestock worrying incidents involve dogs that have escaped from their homes, with Lord Benyon, Defra Minister, claiming ‘these are cases that hand-controlled e-collars could not have prevented’. Meanwhile the National Farmers Union recognise that for the minority of cases which involve dogs being walked, keeping a dog on a lead in the vicinity of livestock will be the most effective route to preventing livestock worrying, and the police have also been clear that they would not recommend the use of e-collars to prevent instances of livestock worrying.
Dr Ed Hayes, Head of Public Affairs at The Kennel Club commented: “We’re pleased to see MP Duncan Baker publicly supporting this long-awaited ban on cruel electric shock collars. This ban not only has cross party support, but is clearly something the British public want to see happen.
“Research has shown there is absolutely no need for cruel shock collars, which cause physical and psychological harm, given the vast array of positive training methods available.
“We urge dog lovers across the UK to support this ban and put pressure on the Government to follow through with their promises for animal welfare.”
