Electric shock dog collars still not prohibited despite SNP vow

This Hungarian pointer is not held back by an electronic collar and no dog should be, says Labour, calling on the SNP to ensure the pledge to ban them is fulfilled. Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Earlier this year Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham announced the devices would be outlawed following pressure from animal rights groups.

Animal rights groups and charities like the Dogs’ Trust argued that the collars, which have been used to train difficult dogs, were cruel and caused unnecessary suffering.

At the time, Cunningham said she had taken steps to “effectively and promptly ban their use in Scotland”.

She said: “Causing pain to dogs by inappropriate training methods is clearly completely unacceptable and I want there to be no doubt that painful or unpleasant training for dogs will not be tolerated.”

Cunningham issued ministerial guidance for courts that would be taken into consideration in cases involving the unnecessary suffering of dogs through electric shock collars.

She added: “Anyone found causing pain to dogs through the use of collars or other devices can be prosecuted as they deserve”.

But in answer to a parliamentary question tabled by Labour’s Colin Smyth, rural affairs minister Mairi Gougeon suggested that such devices could still be used.

Smyth asked the government “whether the use of electric shock collars is permitted under any circumstances, following the introduction of its new guidance on Dog Training Aids?”

In her answer Gougeon said: “The use of electronic training aids is not prohibited; however the guidance makes it clear that causing unnecessary suffering through their inappropriate use may be, depending upon the circumstances of the case, an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 if the user knew or ought to have known that the action would cause unnecessary suffering.”

Smyth accused the Scottish Government of failing to protect animals and called for a full, legislative ban to be introduced in Scotland.

“Electric shock dog collars are inhumane and unnecessary – and should be consigned to the dustbin,” Smyth said. “The SNP’s claim that this guidance would ban their use has been exposed as an outright lie.

“Once again they are refusing to take the action needed to protect animals. That is unacceptable.

“The SNP government must bring forward a real, legislative ban on these horrific devices before more dogs have to suffer.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson explained that the guidance was “advisory” and made clear that causing unnecessary suffering by using electronic training aids may be an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, depending on the circumstances.

The spokesperson said: “The new guidance explains that causing unnecessary suffering through the use of electronic dog collars may be a criminal offence depending on the circumstances. There is a commitment to review the effectiveness of the guidance in 12 months’ time.

“The guidance was agreed with the Kennel Club and key animal welfare organisations including Dogs Trust, Scottish SPCA and the British Veterinary Association.

“The Scottish Parliament’s Environment Committee has also supported the guidance.”