Move To Ban Electric Shock Animal Collars

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 11th Feb 2003

David Rendel MP will tomorrow launch a parliamentary effort to ban collars that give electric shocks to animals.

Mr Rendel's "Animals (Electric Shock Collars) Bill" is expected to be introduced in the House of Commons tomorrow (Wednesday 12 February). It already has the support of a wide cross-section of MPs.

The Bill would make it illegal for any person to use, manufacture or sell electric shock collars.

Mr Rendel said:

"I find the idea of zapping an animal with an electric shock repulsive. Electric shock collars are cruel and unnecessary. We have already had some success in persuading Government agencies and the police to stop using these collars during dog training. My Bill would make their use on any animal illegal.

"Quite apart from the unnecessary cruelty of deliberately using these collars to discipline animals, there is also the risk of accidents which could cause severe burning to an animal's neck."

Note: David Rendel has led the campaign to ban the use of electric shock dog collars. As a result their use by Government agencies has been ended. In 2000 the Association of Chief Police Officers agreed to remove electric shock and pinch collars from their approved list of equipment for police dog training. David is now working for a nationwide ban, with the co-operation of the All-Party Group on Animal Welfare and many well-known animal charities.