Shock Collar Ban Delayed In Scotland

The Kennel Club, (KC) has expressed disappointment at news that the Scottish Government is to delay further work on the banning on electric shock collars in Scotland until Defra has completed further research on the impact of using the devices on dogs.

KC Secretary, Caroline Kisko, said:

"Obviously we are disappointed with the decision taken by the Scottish Government, but given the cross-party support we have from MSP’s we will continue to push for a ban."

The Defra research is costing the Tax Payer a total of £469,000.

Electric shock collars deliver an electric shock to the neck of a dog, either by remote control or automatically when a dog barks or and animal crosses an invisible perimeter.

Electric shock mats emit electric shocks either when an animal steps onto or off the mat.

Electric shock leads emit electric shocks if a dog exerts too much pressure on the lead.

The Welsh Assembly has already moved to ban electronic training collars in Wales. The Electronic Collars Manufacturers Association (ECMA) last week stepped up its effort to overturn the proposed ban.

The organisation has filed an application in the High Court seeking a Judicial Review of the decision.

The application is the latest move by ECMA in response to the Welsh Assembly Government. Soon after the announcement in June it condemned the Welsh Assembly proposal as hasty, premature and unnecessary.