Oral - Electric Shock Collars

In my response to oral questions on 21 May on animal welfare, I said that I would make a statement on electric-shock collars before the summer recess. We have consulted on the principle of banning electric-shock dog collars in Wales. We received 173 responses to that consultation and have now reviewed the content of the consultation.

This has not been an easy subject to examine, as there is much emotion involved. There is a large degree of concern about these devices being improperly used, which is in contrast to responses from people who have used them and found that they have worked in stopping an animal from misbehaving. The industry that manufactures these devices obviously supports their continued use, while the veterinary profession has mixed views. In addition to all of this, there are scientific publications that provide evidence against and for the acceptability of electric-shock collars.

It is recognised that there will be situations where the professionally supervised use of such devices may be justified—an example given to me was that of a deaf dog needing some non-auditory form of stimulus. Legislation may therefore need to include a provision for their use in exceptional circumstances. Similarly, electric boundary fences are commonly used in farming, mainly for the purpose of regulating animal grazing on a temporary basis. They are fully visible and have warnings. If electric fencing is to be used for the training and control of pets, similar rules should apply. Fencing associated with electric-shock collars should be used in conjunction with physical barriers and on a temporary basis only, to train an animal to its boundaries.

I am aware of the research that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is undertaking on the short and long-term behavioural, physiological and psychological effects of using training devices on the domestic dog, but that research will not finish until 2010, with decisions on what will happen to be taken after that. We will keep that research in view.

After giving due consideration to the arguments, I propose to draft detailed regulations to introduce a ban on the use of electric-shock dog collars in Wales. Consideration will be given to whether their sale and possession should be included in the legislation. Appropriate provisions will be made to ensure that consideration is given to situations where the exceptional use of these devices could occur. We will also give appropriate consideration to banning fence systems that work in conjunction with electric-shock collars.

Wales is leading the way on introducing this legislation in the UK and my policy officials will work closely with legal colleagues and the Office of the Counsel General to draft the necessary legislation, which will be the subject of a further consultation exercise.