SCA AND ELECTRIC COLLARS

[Guest k9wpg]

 

 

'Electric Shock Collars' for dogs are a contentious subject; many people dismiss such devices as cruel, and indeed the working dog world is split between those who would never dream of using them and those who swear that when they have used them they have been a god-send.

 

 

 

Opinions are one thing, but what the Scottish Government requested in its recent consultation on the subject of 'the use sale, distribution and possession of electronic training aids' was evidence. The SCA response to this consultation took the form of case studies submitted by Heather Routes readers detailing their experiences with the use of 'electric collars' and 'freedom fences'.

 

 

 

In most cases these devices had initially been used as a last resort and with reluctance; however afterwards all of the users that reported to us said that the experience had been worthwhile for both them and their dogs. Some dog owners said that using a collar had saved their dog from having to be destroyed for livestock worrying, or saved their dog from spending a lifetime tied up. The SCA has submitted a selection of these case studies as evidence to the Scottish Government and would urge them to take note

 

 

 

 

Ross Montague of the SCA commented "people who cruelly mistreat dogs and cause them unnecessary suffering are breaking Scotland's animal welfare law - this is true whether they misuse a training device, such as an electric collar, or beat the dog with a stick. We have heard from our members that when used properly, an 'electric collar' c'Electric Shock Collars' for dogs are a contentious subject; many people dismiss such devices as cruel, and indeed the working dog world is split between those who would never dream of using them and those who swear that when they have used them they have been a god-send.

 

 

 

Opinions are one thing, but what the Scottish Government requested in its recent consultation on the subject of 'the use sale, distribution and possession of electronic training aids' was evidence. The SCA response to this consultation took the form of case studies submitted by Heather Routes readers detailing their experiences with the use of 'electric collars' and 'freedom fences'.

 

 

 

In most cases these devices had initially been used as a last resort and with reluctance; however afterwards all of the users that reported to us said that the experience had been worthwhile for both them and their dogs. Some dog owners said that using a collar had saved their dog from having to be destroyed for livestock worrying, or saved their dog from spending a lifetime tied up. The SCA has submitted a selection of these case studies as evidence to the Scottish Government and would urge them to take note.

 

 

an be a life-saver. Electric collars have saved dogs from having to be put down for sheep worrying and freedom fences have saved others from being run over through straying on to the road. For these reasons we would urge the Scottish Government not to ban these devices but instead to use existing laws to punish anyone who misuses them."

 

 

 

The SCA's consultation response can be found on our website http://www.scottishcountrysidealliance.org/

Edited December 2, 2007 by k9wpg