Ban of electric shock collars for pets gets the go-ahead by government

Regulations on the use of electric shock collars worn by pets is to be introduced over the next few months, according to the government. 

The use of electric shock collars by pet owners is to be banned following on a process of public consultations which took place over the last 18 months. 

Following on from these consultations, the Irish public called for these shock collars to be banned with regards to animal welfare - specifically the ones controlled by remote controls, typically worn by dogs and cats. 

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue has announced that rules surrounding these collars and similar ones will be phased into law over the next few months. 

"It is important to be clear on what we are banning here. In many instances, there are electric fences around homes and there are collars to manage those - we are not proposing to manage those because of course, animals have the opportunity to voluntarily avoid those [fences]," Minister McConalogue explained. 

"In many cases, however, where there are shock collars that are remotely controlled and people are using them for training - we don't regard those as being beneficial to animal welfare and it's something that I want to see discontinued in this country."

The new regulations won't affect people who use a perimeter wire around their home or those who let their dogs roam freely where agricultural land is near. As well as this, pet owners who currently have and use the remote control shock collars will avoid being reprimanded.

"The regulations I'm going to introduce will mean that from the date the ban comes in, no new animals will be able to wear shock collars. The only pets who will be able to wear them will be the ones who are registered and there will be an explanation and a reason required for use," Mr McConalogue continued. 

"They [electric shock collars] aren't something that are used very broadly but are unnecessary and they raise significant issues from a pet welfare point of view. I think this will ensure that we provide appropriate respect and care for our animals, which they deserve."