Domestic Animals: Welfare

Viscount Astor Excerpts

Thursday 10th May 2018 Grand Committee

[Viscount Astor (Con)]

My Lords, I have decided to speak today as I am concerned about the Government’s possible plans to ban so-called shock collars. I am grateful to my noble friend for giving me the opportunity by initiating this debate.

I understand the Secretary of State has indicated that he might limit the ban to collars used for training devices, but exempt those used to contain animals. I declare an interest. I have five dogs—two spaniels and three terriers—none of whom has ever worn a collar of that type. They are used for two reasons and the second is the important one; that is, to contain pets from wandering. Where these collars are justified, and supported by many vets, is where the animals gets a buzz—if necessary, a mild shock—to keep them safe in gardens. It is an invisible fence supported by an electric collar that responds to signals from wire buried around a garden or home. There are 40,000 of these collars in use and many vets say they are in the animal’s best interest. In a recent letter to the Times, they said:

“The pet is in control and quickly learns not to go too close to the boundary”.


They went on:

“We are confident that sound science shows these garden systems do not harm pets. They instead stop them joining the 300,000 cats and dogs killed on roads every year”.


None of us has an escape-proof garden; I certainly do not. We do not want to lock our dogs up all day and all night while out at work. Many people who use these collars find that once their pet has gone near the fence they never go near it again. It does work.

I was concerned about some of the lobbying, particularly by the Kennel Club, whose stance I thought somewhat hypocritical. It lobbied against shock collars, but uses choke leads in its shows. These improve the dog’s posture but often result in ongoing health problems to the neck and disc problems for the dog.

There are many important issues in the animal world that need attention, including battery farming, puppy farming and general animal cruelty. It is animal cruelty that, paradoxically, will explode if collars used to prevent dogs escaping on to roads are banned. It is cruel to the dogs and cats and deeply upsetting for the owners. I hope my noble friend will meet all those who are concerned in this area, particularly vets, before making a final decision. I would indeed support the Government if they banned shock collars for training. They are unnecessary and can sometimes lead to cruelty and be detrimental to the dog. For containing pets in gardens, however, they are probably very important.