Collars decision criticised

Animal welfare campaigners said it was “extremely disappointing” the Scottish Government will continue to allow dog owners to use electric shock collars.

Ministers say new regulations being brought in will introduce tighter controls on the use of the devices than there are in England.

But the Kennel Club and others want use of the devices outlawed.

The Kennel Club and Scottish Kennel Club, veterinary groups, dog trainers, behaviourists and MSPS attended an event at the Scottish Parliament last week to ask for a ban on collars.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club secretary, said: “It is extremely disappointing that despite the large amount of scientific evidence proving that electric shock collars are a cruel training method for dogs, the Scottish Government has decided to pursue a costly route to regulate shock collars rather than implement an outright ban.

“The Kennel Club has grave concerns that if the government supports a formal training qualification which allows electronic training devices, it will legitimise the use of shock collars and gaining the qualification may be viewed as an aspirational target for dog trainers.”