Shock Collars Safe, Say Vets

Collars which give pets mild electric shocks to stop them straying are humane, vets have said.

The collars are used by pet owners worldwide and buzz before sending a mild electrical pulse to the animal if it crosses a boundary.

But animal rights activists have condemned them claiming they are cruel.

Now some vets say they are safe, not cruel and in the best interest of pets because they protect them from straying too far.

They spoke out after the UK government announced a ban on the devices.

In a joint letter to The Times newspaper in the UK eleven vets opposed the decision.

They said: “The pet is in control and quickly learns not to go close to the boundary.

“We are confident in the sound science that shows that these garden systems do no harm to pets.

“They instead stop them joining the 300,000 cats and countless dogs killed on the roads every year.”

It is not yet clear what punishments pet owners can expect to receive if they are caught using the collars when the law is enforced.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced a ban after pressure from the RSCPA and other animal rights campaigners.

A second device known as remote training devices which allow an owner or trainer to deliver a shock to the animal at the push of a button if it misbehaves was not defended by the vets.

They added: “On the other hand, the remote training collars should be regulated because there is evidence that they can upset dogs.”

Many pet owners believe the boundary collars are harmless.

Both devices are included in the UK ban expected to be enforced by the end of 2018.