According to the Department of Agriculture, the proposed regulation will ban the use of electronic shock collars operated by a hand-held remote control on dogs and cats. Photograph: Petra Richli/iStockThe regulations will not have an impact on electric fences as animals can avoid them. The target is electric shock collars which can be used on dogs and cats to control their behaviour, and in some circumstances can be used for training.
Mr McConalogue said that he did not anticipate a rush to purchase such items before they are banned. They were not broadly used, but it was a significant issue from a welfare point of view and the new regulations were necessary to ensure that people “provide appropriate respect and care” for their pets.
The new regulations had been advised by the Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare which had been set up to bring together all the key stakeholders and organisations, he said. This registration process is to be completed by three months from the date of introduction of the regulation. The use of these shock collars on deaf dogs will be exempt from the new legislation.