Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of using electronic shock collars on (a) dogs with hearing impairments and (b) other dogs.

The ban on e-collars under the Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (England) Regulations will only apply to collars controlled by hand-held devices that deliver an electric shock to cats or dogs. The ban will not extend to collars which emit a vibration, spray or other non-shock stimulus.

There is concern that e-collars can cause harm and redirect aggression or generate anxiety-based behaviour in pets. This risks making underlying behavioural problems, such as aggression towards other pets, worse. We would advise all owners who are concerned about controlling their dog’s behaviour to take advice from their vet or a suitably qualified dog behaviourist or trainer.