ISPCA and Minister work to ban the use of animal shock collars which 'can inflict pain, fear or distress'
Side profile of cute dog sitting alone in living room, wearing automatic training collar to correct barking at noises and outside. Female Harrier mix.
A Waterford representative and Senior Inspector with the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) has backed the Minister's hopes to ban electronic shock collars that are operated by hand-held remote controls.
Senior ISPCA Inspector Alice Lacey explained to the Waterford News & Star that the remote-controlled electronic shock collars being used on dogs and cats usually "involve punishment."
"Such devices can cause pain, fear, or distress," said Ms Lacey.
"They impact on the animals’ welfare, can make existing behavioural issues worse, and other behavioural problems to arise," she added.
The recent announcement from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Charlie McConalogue T.D, to take a stance on the use of the devices came after seeking and receiving advice from his companion animal advisory group (ACCAW).
The ISPCA is a member of this group, and he acknowledged that some of the small number of dog owners, who currently use these shock collars, expressed worry about controlling their dogs if they stop using them.
The Minister intends to permit those who currently use shock collars on their dogs to continue to do so, but only for those dogs. Importantly, these pet owners will need to register their dog’s identity with DAFM, exempting that dog from the new rules. As such, the new ban will then protect puppies and dogs who have not previously had shock collars used on them.
This proposal by the Minister to ban the collars relates only to the use of electronic shock collars operated by hand-held remote controls. It does not relate to anti-bark collars or collars linked to boundary fences or remote fencing to control other animals.
However, other concerning techniques that the ISPCA does not condone while training dogs include choke chains, prong collars, physical force / coercion (for example, hitting the animal or forcing them into a position), the use of citrus sprays and use of high-pitched sonic devices as these techniques can inflict pain and involve punishment, fear or distress resulting in poor animal welfare.
Additionally, the ISPCA states the use of these techniques "have no place in modern companion animal training" as concerning behavioural issues arise from this.
Rather than shock collars, Ms Lacey encourages pet owners "to use reward-based training techniques."
Animal welfare concerns can be reported to the ISPCA on 0818 515 515.
