Electronic shock collar for dogs, cats to be banned

Electronic shock collar for dogs and cats that are controlled using hand-held remote controls are to be banned in Ireland following a public consultation ordered by the Minister for Agriculture.

The collars are sometimes used by owners to train, control or discipline their pets.

The ban will be introduced in the coming months and follows similar moves in other European Union countries.

Those currently using the devices will be permitted to continue to do so as their animals are accustomed to them, but collars will not be permitted for use on any new animals.

However, the ban will not preclude the use of such collars when they are used in conjunction with electronic enclosure systems of yards or gardens, when animals receive a shock if they try and cross a perimeter wire.

Anti-bark collars will also be permitted.

Minister Charlie McConalogue said: “I recognise that some of the small number of dog owners, who currently use these shock collars, expressed worry about controlling their dogs if they stop using them.

“For that reason, I intend to permit those who currently use shock collars on their dogs to continue to do so, but only for those dogs.

“Owners who wish to avail of this exemption will have to register the dogs identity with the Department of Agriculture, providing the dogs microchip identity and dog licence number.

“The ban will also provide for an exemption for the continued use of the devices in deaf dogs.

“Dogs and cats are much-loved companions for so many of us in Ireland, and the use of manually operated remotely-controlled electronic shock collars is not an appropriate way to treat them,” the minister said.

“Many organisations and individuals have highlighted the welfare problems these collars can cause.

“The Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare, which I set up in 2021, has also advised me on this matter and on that advice, I will be introducing a Regulation in the coming months to ban their use.”

Welfare issue for animals – minister

Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Colm Ó Mongáin, Mr McConalogue described this as a welfare issue for animals.

“It’s something I want to see discontinued in this country and the regulations I’m introducing will provide for that,” he said.

The minister added that “no new animal” will be able to be placed in a shock collar.

For older dogs or cats, he said, there may already been “established use” of these collars, but this needs to be phased out.

These types of collars are not used very broadly, but create significant issues in terms of pet welfare, Mr McConalogue said.

The minister said the change is not in the Programme for Government, but these issues are monitored and regulations need to be adjusted when necessary.