Are electric shock dog collars banned in the UK? Wales has banned these devices, but they remain legal in other parts of the UK despite previous announcements suggesting otherwise.
Despite an announcement last year (2023) that shock collars would be banned in the UK by February 2024, shock collars remain legal. This represents an important update to the previously announced ban.
The devices – labelled 'cruel and unnecessary' – deliver electric shocks to dogs' necks via remote control. The user can administer the shock for up to 11 seconds each time and up to two miles away, meaning that a dog out of sight of its owner can still be shocked. They have already been banned in Wales for 13 years, while France stopped them in January.
Dog Owners and The Kennel Club Continue Campaign Against Shock Collars
According to The Kennel Club, which has campaigned for a ban in other parts of the UK, five per cent of dog owners use electric collars.
The organisation continues to campaign to introduce these laws across the UK, stating that a total ban would mean half a million dogs would be 'saved from being trained with these highly aversive devices'.
Mark Beazley, chief executive of The Kennel Club, said: "There is no excuse for using these devices, which cause physical and psychological harm, especially given the wide range of positive training methods available."
"This has been the focus of over a decade of campaigning for us, and we continue to urge Defra to help safeguard the welfare of our nation's much-loved dogs. However, further action is urgently needed across the UK, where regulations are needed to replace ineffective guidelines. We will not rest until we see a total ban on these devices that cause suffering and harm."
The Kennel Club stated that there is 'wide-ranging evidence' demonstrating the detrimental effect e-collars have on the welfare of dogs. In 2019, a study by the University of Lincoln found that collars compromised dog welfare, even when used by 'professional' e-collar trainers. It also determined that the products were less effective in training than positive reinforcement methods.
When the government first announced the proposed ban in 2018, then-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Michael Gove said, "We are a nation of animal lovers, and the use of punitive shock collars causes harm and suffering to our pets."
"This ban was proposed to improve animal welfare, and pet owners are strongly encouraged to use positive reward training methods instead."
Can I Use An Electric Collar on My Dog?
While electric shock collars remain legal in England and Scotland (though banned in Wales), animal welfare organizations and experts strongly discourage their use. The Kennel Club continues to campaign for a complete ban across the UK.
No scientific evidence supports the claim that electric shock collars are practical training tools. Research has shown that they can harm dogs, causing them pain, fear, and stress.
Electric shock dog collars deliver an electric shock to a dog's neck when the remote control is activated. Some dog owners use them as a training tool to discourage unwanted behaviours, such as barking, jumping, or chasing.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) oppose using electric shock collars. The ASPCA states, "Electric shock collars are cruel and inhumane devices that should not be used to train dogs." The HSUS says that "electric shock collars are a form of animal cruelty and should be banned." If you are considering using an electric shock dog collar, please note that there are many other, more humane ways to train your dog.
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