THE Scottish Government is set to review the use of electric shock dog collars after a Tory MSP’s amendment to an animal welfare bill was passed.
The Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill passed unanimously on Wednesday after a more than four-hour debate in Holyrood.
During stage three proceedings, some 63 amendments were considered
Maurice Golden’s amendment will commit the Scottish Government to consider the issues and publish a report by April 2025 at the latest. His amendment passed but was opposed by the SNP who said “there are drafting issues with this amendment which means we can’t support it”.
Golden tweeted: “Delighted my amendment passed today! The Scottish Government must now review the use of electric shock collars. Thanks to @ScotTories, @scottishlabour, @scotlibdems and @scotgp for your support today and for bringing us one step closer to banning these cruel devices.”
Delighted my amendment passed today! The Scottish Government must now review the use of electric shock collars. Thanks to @ScotTories, @scottishlabour, @scotlibdems and @scotgp for your support today and for bringing us one step closer to banning these cruel devices. pic.twitter.com/Bn1pwXIIod
— Maurice Golden MSP (@mgoldenmsp) June 17, 2020
The Kennel Club, Dogs Trust and the Scottish SPCA backed the amendment but the plan resulted in a furious social media response from hundreds of dog owners who use electric dog collars to train their dogs against 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: Backlash against animal charities' call 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.”
The new bill will also allow emergency rehoming of pets and brings Finn’s Law – named after a police dog stabbed while trying to protect his handler – into legislation to protect service animals.
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