Bid to ban electric shock collars on animals voted through

An MSP and and an animal charity have welcomed a vote on a new law to transform animal welfare.

The Scottish SPCA said the Animals and Wildlife (Scotland) Bill would be gamechanging for animals and the organisation.

Maurice Golden, Conservative MSP for West Scotland, is pleased an amendment he tabled urging the government to look at banning electric shock collars was voted through.

The bill will increase the maximum sentence for the worst animal cruelty or wildlife crime offences from one year to five and/or an unlimited fine.

It will also remove the need for the Scottish SPCA to obtain a court order to rehome an animal involved in legal proceedings which has not been signed over in to their care.

It will also introduce greater protections for service animals and the ability to issue fixed penalty notices for some offences.

Scottish SPCA chief executive Kirsteen Campbell said:“This is a momentous day for animal welfare in Scotland.

“The proposals which will be enshrined in law will deliver wholesale, transformational change for animals nationwide.”

Mr Golden added:“I am delighted this amendment has passed calling for a review on the use of electric shock collars on dogs.

“These are harmful devices and the thousands of people who have signed petitions previously and animal welfare organisations cannot be ignored by the Scottish Government.

“The time for warm words on the banning of these devices is over, now is the time for urgent action from the government to ensure they cannot be used in the future.

“I will be continuing to keep up the pressure on this issue, and this is a welcome step forward.”