Thank you for contacting me about electronic collars (e-collars). The UK has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and my ministerial colleagues and I are committed to raising these standards even higher. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has considered the evidence regarding the use of electronic aids to control dogs. While I note your concerns about the ban, I am aware that research commissioned by Defra showed that many e-collar users were not using them properly or in compliance with the manufacturers’ instructions. As well as being misused to inflict unnecessary harm, there is also concern that e-collars can redirect aggression or generate anxiety-based behaviour in pets, making underlying behavioural and health problems worse. In addition, the Government’s consultation on this received more than 7,000 responses.
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