E-collar ban criticised by dog trainers and sheep farmers

The government has announced legislation which will outlaw the use of "e-collars" for dogs and cats in England from February 2024.

Commonly known as shock collars, they dispense varying levels of electrical pulses to correct errant animal behaviour via a remote control from up to two miles away.

Campaigners at the Kennel Club welcomed the ban on these "cruel and unnecessary devices" as a "historic moment for animal welfare".

But the move has drawn criticism from sheep farmers who warned the "irresponsible and unnecessary" ban will increase livestock attacks - and the number of out-of-control dogs being shot.

Fears have been raised that a ban on e-collars could lead to a rise in dog attacks on sheep (Image: Newsquest)

Phil Stocker, chief executive of the National Sheep Association, described the collars as an "effective training aid" and said farmers are alarmed over "the failure of government policy to help protect their flocks from the growing menace of dog attacks".

Norfolk trainer Steve Swallow, of Breckland Dog Training in Ashill, echoed those concerns.

But rather than an outright ban, he is calling for better regulation of both the equipment and the training industry, to ensure the collars are not misused by pet owners.

"They should not be banned," said Mr Swallow. "At the cheap end of the scale, the shock collars you can pick up for £30-40 online - they should be banned.

"But the technology and safety features we are using is streets ahead of where it was.

"If people are worried about their pets, or concerned about livestock, which most people are, then put regulation in place that means the collars can be used in an ethical and responsible way.

"It needs to be a nationwide network of certified trainers that are qualified and responsible to use this equipment, and limit the sale of them to through recognised dealers. Let's be sensible about it."

An e-collar used at Breckland Dog Training in Ashill (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Mr Swallow said he uses modern e-collars to deploy "very low-level stimulation" to reinforce recall commands which dissuade dogs from danger or chasing other animals.

"Because people use the word 'shock' it becomes very emotive, they say it is barbaric," he said. 

"The traditional way of teaching dogs in some quarters is if the dog goes wrong, you 'light it up', you correct it at the highest level.

"But in the educated modern world, the use of an e-collar is based on weeks and weeks of conditioning training before any correction is issued. We do not go for high level, we start off at zero and we work to find the dog's working level."

Mr Swallow said only rewarding positive behaviour with treats was not enough to deter dogs from instinctively chasing pheasants, deer or sheep in the countryside. 

"There are people out there who say they can do it without the use of any aversive techniques, but they have not proven how it is done," he said.

Herrick the dog wearing an e-collar at Breckland Dog Training in Ashill (Image: Sonya Duncan)

One of the key campaigners for the ban is the Kennel Club, whose chief executive Mark Beazley, said: "The legislation banning electric shock collars is a historic moment for animal welfare and will put an end to the misery and suffering of countless dogs who are still subject to these cruel and unnecessary devices.

"There is simply no excuse for using these devices, which cause physical and psychological harm, especially given the vast array of positive training methods available."

Defra says the ban will not include collars which use alternative stimuli, such as noise, spray, or vibration, while invisible fencing systems which train animals to stay safely within a set boundary will also still be permitted.

A government spokesperson said: "We want to protect dogs and cats from these harmful devices which can be all too easily open to abuse and proven to cause long-term harm.

"However, we recognise the impact attacks on livestock have on our farming community – which is why we are tackling this important issue by bringing forward new measures this parliament."

Defra also said the Animal Behaviour and Training Council maintains national registers of qualified trainers and behaviourists, and anyone with concerns about their dog’s behaviour when outside "should keep their dog on a lead".