Back in November, I reported on legislation banning shock collars in Wales. This week, BBC reports that a Welsh prosecutor named David Prosser became the first to successfully prosecute under the new legislation.
When Welsh legislators were first considering the ban, animal welfare groups such as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and other organizations, including the Kennel Club, came out in support of the ban. These organizations called shock collars “cruel and unnecessary,” and pointed to shock collars’ potential to harm animals.
Others opposed the ban, claiming that the evidence and science did not demonstrate that shock collars harm animals, and arguing that shock collars are effective tools to protect and train animals.
In March 2010, the National Assembly for Wales unanimously passed legislation banning the use of any collar emitting an electronic shock for dogs and cats. A violation of the law is punishable by imprisonment and/or a fine.
After the law came into effect, Petsafe, Ltd, a pet product manufacturer, and the Electronic Collar Manufacturer Association challenged the law. But the High Court in Wales rejected their challenge and upheld the legislation in November 2010.
This week, a Welsh court convicted the first person of violating the shock collar ban. Phillip Pook owns a border collie who is a notorious fence climber and escape artist. Six months before the ban took effect, Pook bought a collar designed to emit an electronic shock if his dog approached a wall on his property. Pook claimed he did not know the law had changed, but the prosecution introduced evidence that Pook was warned about the new law. The court convicted Pook and sentenced him to a fine of £2000 (about $3200).
I’m glad to see a law that bans shock collars not only for training, but also for use with an electronic fence. And I am amazed and comforted to see that the Welsh legislators were unanimous in passing the ban. Currently, the UK and Scotland are considering similar legislation. The BBC reports that there are about 500,000 shock collars in the UK, with about 20,000 of those in Wales. If you would like to know how local jurisdictions treat shock collars, take a look at this post.
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July 19, 2011 at 3:51 pm
And 30 years ago you could use a belt on a kid butt and they behaved now they do what ever they please…. Shock collars as this man was using to protect his dog from escaping and getting hit by a car or shot was HUMANE…..
July 19, 2011 at 9:41 pm
Having read the news reports on this, the collar did not seem to be helping to keep the dog from escaping. In fact, the dog got picked up by local kennels so much that the dog was known as the “dog with the shock collar.” There are many better ways to keep a dog from escaping — not the least of which is to make sure the dog is never in the yard unattended.
July 30, 2011 at 10:17 am
Heidi, it’s sounds a though you do not own a dog. Aside from walks dogs are let out in a fenced yard to roam. Unless the owner installs a 6 foot fence generally a dog will escape at some point. Sometimes a 6 foot fence is not enough. So it’s either leads, 8 foot fences or shock collars. For most breeds a small electronic signal is enough to deter and others it may not work. The “shock” is more a vibration and not an electrocution. I find ignorant comments about mis-treatment by many who have never owned animals nor care too.
It’s any wonder that the shelters are filled with un-wanted animals and all these do-gooders continue giving lip service. As far as the comment about making sure the dog is never un-attended obviously you’re clueless.
July 30, 2011 at 2:52 pm
Animal Lover,
I have two dogs, and have lived with dogs most of my life. We have a six foot fence for our dogs, and it works just fine. I absolutely prefer and recommend visible fences, and physical leashes when out for walks. There is a great deal of science and many well-educated and well-known trainers and animal behaviorists who are glad to see Wales enact this legislation and would like the US to follow suit. In fact, here is a link to five articles on shock collars and electronic fences.
If my dogs are alone, they are inside the house. When they are outside in the enclosed yard, I am either in the yard with them or, at the furthest away, inside the house where I can look out on them from any one of many windows.
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July 30, 2011 at 3:38 pm
It seems folks are always looking for an quick fix and shock collars seem to fit the bill for many. As with most quick fixes they usually come unstuck just as quick. Too bad the unintended consequences aren’t known to most of the population. I applaud Wales for standing up for the dog.
July 30, 2011 at 6:47 pm
Much appreciated, Brad!
October 18, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Hello Brad,
I’d love to know what you mean by “the unintended consequences” as I have spent a considerable amount of time reading a number of “scientific” papers that have been published only to find the methods used questionable. If you know something I don’t, please share.
By the way, I have two happy, healthy and well trained socialized dogs that both have been trained with an ecollar.
Thanks!
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