LONDON, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- Training collars which deliver an electric shock to dogs and cats are to be banned under new legislation announced Monday by the British government.
The remote-controlled electronic training collars, known as e-collars, have a remote device that triggers an electronic pulse, which can be varied in strength, while others may spray a noxious chemical.
The Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) said that as well as being misused to inflict unnecessary harm and suffering, there's also evidence e-collars can re-direct aggression or generate anxiety-based behavior in pets, making underlying behavioral and health problems worse.
Defra said their action follows a public consultation on a proposed ban for all e-collars.
Environment secretary Michael Gove said: "The use of punitive shock collars cause harm and suffering to our pets. This ban will improve the welfare of animals."
The national animal charity, the Dog's Trust, was among the welfare organizations calling for the collars to be banned.
The trust's director of canine behaviour and research Rachel Casey said: "We are appalled that it is still legal to buy and use electronic shock collars in England. It is both unnecessary and cruel to resort to the use of these collars on dogs. This type of device is not only painful for a dog, it can have a serious negative impact on their mental and physical well-being."
According to the trust, the devices can send between 100 to 6,000 volts to a dog's neck, and have the capacity to continuously shock a dog for up to 11 seconds at a time.
A government consultation attracted over 7,000 responses. Around half of those responding pointed out that they did not want a ban on containment fences.
A considerable number of responses, whether supportive of a total ban or supportive of invisible fencing, also expressed concern at the number of people who use the hand-held devices incorrectly and without proper training.
The government has said it will not extend the ban to invisible fencing systems, which can keep pets away from roads and potential traffic accidents. Animals often respond well to invisible fencing and quickly learn to stay within a boundary without receiving a static pulse.
