AN animal charity is facing a backlash against its call for the Scottish Government to ban electric shock dog collars.
The Kennel Club is behind Tory MSP Maurice Golden's amendment to the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill which, if passed today, would commit the Scottish Government to consider the issues and publish a report by April 2025 at the latest.
Dogs Trust and the Scottish SPCA are also backing the move which also seeks a review into whether to make the theft of a pet a specific offence.
But the plan has resulted in a furious social media response from hundreds of dog owners who use them to train their dogs from attacking animals.
A post about the bill on the Kennel Club's Facebook page had more than 2000 comments, most of which were against the proposal.
The charity has also been accused of deleting Facebook comments condemning the move and blocking vets from commenting.
READ MORE: Animal charities back call for Scottish Government to ban electric dog collars
Scottish Government research in December last year found e-collars are “useful” for preventing dog attacks on sheep.
Jamie Penrith of the Association of Responsible Dog Owners said: “In Maurice Golden the Mayfair-based Kennel Club has found a tame Tory MSP to back its wild claims against e-collars. Vets support e-collar training because it is the only scientifically proven way of stopping dogs attacking livestock and the British Veterinary Association has told the Scottish Government that it had no evidence of them being abused.
“Around the world Government’s endorse e-collar training - yet in Wales, where it is banned, attacks on sheep doubled in just one year.”
Penrith, who is a former police dog trainer, added: “E-collars teach dogs with strong prey instincts to become averse to attacking livestock - without it the dogs often kill animals and then end up dead themselves through either being shot by farmers or put down by vets.
“Those who claim that predatory attacks can be prevented by training dogs with rewards - or that dogs should be kept permanently on leads - are offering failed approaches to animal welfare."
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