MSP calls for ban on ‘cruel’ shock collars
A Perthshire politician is calling for electric shock dog collars to be banned.
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser recently attended a drop-in session at the Scottish Parliament in association with The Kennel Club and Scottish SPCA, to look at the negative impact of electric shock collars on dog welfare.
It allowed MSPS to learn more about the devices.
The collars deliver an electric shock to a dog’s neck via remote control, up to a radius of two miles – meaning a dog not within sight of its owner could still receive the stimulus – and for up to 11 seconds at a time.
The Kennel Club has long campaigned for a ban on the devices in Scotland, alongside the Scottish SPCA.
Mr Fraser said: “The Scottish Government introduced guidance condemning the use of shock collars in 2018 and hailed this an ‘effective ban’ on the use of these devices.
“However, the guidance has since proven to be ineffective in stopping the use of electric shock collars and the drop-in session highlighted concerns around this and urged action from the Scottish Government.
“I am delighted to give my backing to the campaign for a ban on electric shock collars.”
The Kennel Club chief executive Mark Beazley added: “The Kennel Club has long campaigned for a ban on electric shock collars and we were delighted when the Scottish Government pledged to ban the use of these devices in 2018.
“Unfortunately, this has since proven to be ineffective, and as such we believe that regulations urgently need to be introduced in order to stop the unnecessary suffering of dogs.
“We hope the Scottish Government take swift action on these cruel devices.”
Details about The Kennel Club’s campaign to ban electric shock collars are available at: thekennelclub.org.uk/ Banshockcollars