Released to press on 20 May 2016
Free availability of shock collars facilitates cruelty, according to charity
Animal welfare charity OneKind has renewed its calls for a ban on shock collars in light of a child abuse case involving one of the cruel devices. A woman in Fort Augustus who gave a young boy electric shocks using a dog training collar after seeing one being used on a dog, faces jail for her appalling crimes.
OneKind Director Harry Huyton said: “This horrific case of child cruelty is another reason why electric shock collars must be banned immediately.
“OneKind has long campaigned for a ban from a pet welfare perspective, but these collars, along with other devices that deliver pain and are intended for use on pets, are instruments of cruelty. Their free and easy availability inevitably results in tragedies like this one.”
The charity is warning that unless electric shock collars are banned, anyone will continue to be able to buy these devices freely. Wales has already taken the lead and banned and despite the Scottish Government publishing a consultation document on whether to ban or regulate them at the beginning of this year there is yet to be any action taken. OneKind has set up an online petition calling on the Minister, Fergus Ewing MSP to take action and ban electric shock collars.
Harry Huyton added: “There is overwhelming support for a ban. A recent YouGov poll of the Scottish public commissioned by OneKind and other welfare charities showed that 77 per cent of people in Scotland supported a ban.
“At OneKind, we raise awareness of the connection between cruelty – and kindness - to people and animals. A person who hurts an animal may well hurt a human, and vice versa. A ban wouldn’t have prevented cruelty to this poor child. Nor will it prevent cruelty to dogs and cats. But it would make it harder.”
OneKind is calling on the Scottish Government to ban these cruel devices forever – for the good of people and our pets.
Ends
Notes to editor:
- OneKind is a UK-wide animal protection charity based in Scotland working to end animal suffering through campaigns, research and education.
- Polling was undertaken by YouGov plc between 18th - 24th March 2016. The survey was carried out online with a sample size of 1009 adults. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Scottish adults (aged 18+). Full poll results are here.
For further information or, to request an interview please contact:
Louise Robertson
Tel: 0131 661 9734 / 07930 539832
Email: louise.robertson@onekind.org
For further information or photographs please contact Sarah Moyes on 0131 661 9734sarah.moyes@onekind.org
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