Minister is one hot dog says Mick Bates

2.31.13pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 25th Jun 2008

Mick Bates AM, Welsh Lib Dem spokesperson for Rural Affairs, has welcomed the Rural Affairs Minister's announcement to ban electric shock collars to train dogs following the consultation which closed in February 2008.

Commenting Mick says: "Electric shock training devices are cruel and unnecessary devices, especially when there is a plethora of other widely available positive alternatives."

Electric dog collars are banned in Denmark, Slovenia and Sweden, and there are restrictions on their availability and use in most Australian states. Finland, Germany, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland have better legislation on this issue than the UK.

Mick adds: "There is a lesson to be learnt here and it is time for Wales to lead the way on introducing this legislation in the UK to ban the sale of these horrific shock training devices.

"Some dog owners may regard shock training devices as a quick fix solution to stop certain unwanted behaviour and the truth is that they may simply not have the patience to train a dog with the use of rewards rather than punishment. These owners must be encouraged to devote the time and effort required to control their dogs in a way that is not frightening or painful.

"It is concerning that these devices have been freely available to the public for so long, sold with minimal instruction, to be misused through ignorance by owners or through malice by those intent on deliberate cruelty.

"I am pleased that the Minister has taken this move today, which will improve animal welfare and prevent much suffering. The Welsh Lib Dems welcome the move to at last end the sale of these horrific devices."