TRADE TALK | PET GAZETTE | 5
ELECTRIC SHOCK COLLARS FOR PETS TO BE BANNED
England has followed Wales and Scotland in banning the training device but it is not extended to electric fences
The Kennel Club’s ten year campaign to
#BanShockCollars has come to fruition with
the announcement on Monday (27 August)
that Defra will completely ban the use of
remote control electric shock collars in
England.
The consultation attracted over 7,000
responses. Around 50 percent of respondents
specifically pointed out that they did not want
containment fences banned.
Research published by Defra concluded
that the use of electric shock collars as a
training method has a long term negative
welfare impact on dogs. Furthermore, an
independent survey commissioned by the
Kennel Club in 2014 found that 73 percent
of the British public were against the use of
electric shock collars and 74 percent would
support the government in introducing a ban
on their use.
With five percent of dog owners reportedly
using electric shock collars, a complete ban
on their use across the UK should mean half a
million dogs will be saved from being trained
by these devices.
Secretary of state Michael Gove said: “We
are a nation of animal lovers and the use
of punitive shock collars cause harm and
suffering to our pets. This ban will improve
the welfare of animals and I urge pet owners
to instead
use positive
reward
training
methods.”
The Kennel
Club added: “Although it is disappointing
that the Welsh and Scottish governments
recognised the importance of a ban on
invisible electric fences and the Westminster
government has not, the outright ban on
remote control electric shock devices is very
welcome and we applaud Defra for moving
so quickly to ban them following the launch of
their consultation.”
PUPPY AND KITTEN PET SHOP SALES TO
BE BANNED IN LUCY’S LAW VICTORY
The ban will mean potential owners will have to go to professional breeders or rescue centres if
they want to buy or adopt a young pet
The government has announced a
consultation to introduce a ban on
commercial third party puppy and kitten sales
in England, marking a victory for Lucy’s Law
campaigners.
If this is introduced, anyone who is not a
professional breeder will not be able to sell
a puppy or a kitten and potential owners will
have to go to a breeder or rescue centre for
any puppies or kittens which are younger
than six months.
This is in addition to new laws which are
set to come into force on 1 October which will
ban licensed sellers from dealing in puppies
and kittens under the age of eight weeks and
tighten the compulsory licensing of anyone in
the business of breeding and selling dogs.
This decision has been influenced by the
Lucy’s Law campaign and its supporters,
and a petition supporting the campaign was
signed by nearly 150,000 people and was
debated in Parliament in May.
Environment secretary, Michael Gove, said:
“A ban on third party sales will ensure the
nation’s much-loved pets get the right start in
life. I pay tribute to the Lucy’s Law campaign,
spearheaded by PupAid, Care And Respect
Includes All Dogs (CARIAD), and Canine Action
UK, who have fought tirelessly for this step.
“People who have a complete disregard
for pet welfare will no longer be able to profit
from this miserable trade.”
TWO THIRDS OF PEOPLE UNCOMFORTABLE
ASKING FOR TIME OFF WHEN A PET DIES
Cats Protection has partnered with Dragon’s Den’s Deborah Meaden to raise awareness of pet bereavement
New research has revealed that nearly two
thirds of people feel uncomfortable when
asking their boss for time off following the
death of a pet.
A survey carried out by Cats Protection
found that 73 percent of pet owners feel it
can be as difficult and upsetting grieving
for a pet as it is grieving for the loss of
a person, while over half of people feel
ashamed of their grief for a pet.
As many as 60 percent of those surveyed
said they thought time off should be allowed
for the loss of a pet while 58 percent said they
were scared to ask for time of to grieve a pet.
www.petgazette.biz
To coincide with Grief Awareness Day,
Cats Protection has partnered with Deborah
Meaden to promote its grief support service,
Paws to Listen, encouraging more people to
use the free and confidential support line.
Dragon’s Den star Meaden is a well-
known cat lover with two of her own,
named Storm and Blade and says she fully
understands pet grief.
Meaden said: “I know how hard it is
when a pet dies. The loss you feel can be
deeply traumatic and I have found it difficult
to function for a couple of days afterwards
because I’ve been so upset. I think Paws to
Listen is a much needed service for people
who want to talk to someone about how
they feel.”
Paws to Listen volunteer, Bob Parsons,
added: “Callers that I have spoken with have
invariably indicated that they felt closer to their
pet, they had felt needed and loved, and most
had felt they couldn’t talk to friends, family
or colleagues about their loss. Our service is
designed to help owners move forward and
find the best way to remember their pet.”
September 2018