Meeting description: Alongside Scottish SPCA we used the opportunity to raise our ongoing concerns with the Member about the continued legality of remote-controlled electric shock dog collars. We advised that electric shock collars work by giving electric shocks to dogs via metal conductors which contact the neck with up to 6 000 volts emitted for up to 11 seconds at a time with the intention that the association of an undesirable behaviour with the consequent shock will dissuade the dog from repeating it. We discussed the wide-ranging evidence that has demonstrated the detrimental effect these devices can have on the welfare of dogs and that studies carried out showing that electric shock collars were no more effective in training than positive reinforcement and that dogs' well-being is compromised even when used by 'professional' e-collar trainers. We then asked the Member for support in calling on the Scottish Government to bring a ban on the use of remote controlled electric shock collars and finally we took a photo of the Member holding a placard calling to 'Ban Shock Collars'.
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