A north-east MSP has led calls for new standards for dog electric shock collars.
Nanette Milne, a dog owner and Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East has called on the Scottish Government to back better regulation of dog electric shock collars.
She said: “The use of electric collars on cats and dogs has been controversial for some time.
“Indeed the Scottish Government consulted on their use as far back as 2007, however they did not recommend a ban at that time.
“More recently, as has been mentioned, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has conducted research into the effects of shock collars. While this did not reveal evidence that electric collars cause long-term harm to dogs when used appropriately, it did highlight a number of issues relating to the manufacture and regulation of collars, to ensure a high standard and proper use.
“Its report highlighted that the use of e-collars ‘can lead to a negative impact on welfare, at least in a proportion of animals trained using this technique’. It also found that a large number of owners using the devices did so without adhering to the accompanying instruction manuals.
“Since the study was published it is my understanding that Defra has started work with the Electronic Collar Manufacturers Association to provide guidance for dog owners and trainers on how to use these collars properly.
“I feel the jury is still out on this, but I hope the Scottish Government will keep a watching brief on emerging research and experience in other countries, and consider further action if it seems appropriate,” she said.