A Scottish MSP urges a ban on electric shock collars, citing animal welfare concerns and support from experts and charities for the proposal.
Glasgow: A Scottish Green MSP, Ross Greer, is pushing hard to ban electric shock collars. He believes these devices are cruel and inhumane. Greer wants all parties in the Scottish Parliament to back his proposal.
This proposal aims to amend the Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill. If passed, it would make using these collars a criminal offense. Shock collars have been banned in Wales since 2010, so why not in Scotland?
Even though the Scottish Government advised against using shock collars in 2018, Greer says dogs are still suffering. He argues that without a full ban, the problem persists.
Animal rights groups, including the British Veterinary Association and the Dogs Trust, support the ban. They argue that shock collars don’t work as training tools and only cause harm.
In 2023, the Scottish Government’s Animal Welfare Commission reviewed the situation and agreed a ban is necessary. Greer stated, “There’s no justification for shocking dogs. It’s cruel and causes unnecessary pain.”
He’s frustrated that the government hasn’t acted on expert recommendations. “I’m tired of waiting,” he said, urging MSPs to vote for a real ban.
Greer believes all MSPs care about animal welfare. He hopes they will unite to end this cruel practice once and for all. The message is clear: dogs shouldn’t suffer like this.
