Tuesday 30 January 2018

Scotland to ban electric shock dog collars

The Scottish government has recently confirmed that the use of electric shock collars on dogs is to be banned in Scotland.
The announcement follows a campaign by MSPs as well as organisations including the Kennel Club, the Scottish SPCA and the Dogs Trust.
Initial draft guidance been published with the ban to be introduced through guidance issued under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 in the coming months.
Draft guidance states that: "Causing unnecessary suffering is an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. This includes suffering caused by inappropriate training methods."
Once the guidance has been finalised, the courts will be able to take it into account when establishing liability in a prosecution.
The Scottish government previously said (November 2017) that it would tighten the restrictions but would allow their use under supervision, a qualification for those using the device was to be recognised, this will now not be created.
The collars are not banned in England, but are in Wales.
Scottish Government Policy is as follows:
Proposed Guidance
In light of concern regarding the potential misuse of electronic training collars (e-collars), we intend to issue Guidance on these and other training methods under Section 38 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.
We will issue guidance, under that Act, to make it clear that training which includes unpleasant stimuli or physical punishment can cause pain, suffering and distress and that any such pain, suffering and distress caused by an inappropriate training method, including electronic collars, may constitute the offence of causing unnecessary suffering under that Act.
This guidance, once finalised, may be considered relevant in a future prosecution. Although the guidance is advisory, a court may take into account compliance or non-compliance with the guidance in establishing liability in a prosecution.
In due course this guidance may be incorporated into a revised Code of Practice or wider Guidance for the welfare of dogs, along with additional guidance on other topics of dog welfare not currently covered in detail in the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs.
The proposed draft wording is:
“Training which includes unpleasant stimuli or physical punishment can cause pain, suffering and distress.
These techniques can compromise dog welfare, lead to aggressive responses and worsen the problems that they aim to address. Particular methods to avoid include: physical punishment, including the use of electronic collars to administer an electric shock; anti-bark collars, which may mask or aggravate underlying behavioural or health issues; and any device that squirts noxious oils or other chemicals that interfere with your dog’s acute sense of smell.
Causing unnecessary suffering is an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. This includes suffering caused by inappropriate training methods.”
We would welcome comments on this proposed guidance, particularly from those responsible for enforcing the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 who may be asked to consider whether or not such methods have been used in a manner that contravenes the Act and compromises animal welfare.
Should you wish to comment, please email electronictrainingcollars@gov.scot by Wednesday 14 February 2018.