Shock collars heading for ban

Mark Ruskell MSP has welcomed a Scottish Government decision that will ban the use of electric shock collars to train dogs.

The Scottish Government made the move to clarify the law on the use of the shock collars that will see them banned.

As recently as November last year, Scottish Ministers still intended to help develop a qualification for those using the collars, which have been widely criticised by animal rights campaigners.

Mr Ruskell said:“In just two months Scottish Ministers have shifted from proposing a new qualification for those who wanted to hurt dogs – an NVQ in animal abuse – to making it clear that use of these devices can be considered as criminal. This is significant progress for those of us who have campaigned on the issue, although Westminster should now act to take shock collars off the market altogether. Without that outright ban it seems likely that these devices will continue to be used in private by unscrupulous dog trainers.

“This announcement follows on from the Scottish Government’s decision to permit tail docking, another procedure widely condemned by dog lovers and experts alike. Although that law is now on the books, as a dog owner myself I guarantee the campaign will continue until that practice is ended too. Perhaps today will be the start of a renewed interest in ending animal cruelty in Scotland, but there is much more still to be done.”