Australia: Ban on Collars

[Wookie'sMom]

While it's not quite Rotti news, I thought some here may find this story interesting. I was looking for more web sites with dog collars and just happened to find this. It is from an Australian news paper and I believe it was dated 01/22/04. http://news.com.au/common/story_page...5E1702,00.html

Ban for cruel dog collars

DOG collars with inward-facing spikes will be banned under new regulations unveiled by the Victorian Government today.

The use of electronic dog training collars which deliver an electric shock will be restricted under the new rules and the possession of dog-fighting and cock-fighting implements will be outlawed.

A civilised society had a responsibility to treat animals humanely, Agriculture Minister Bob Cameron said.

"Dogs, whether they are pets or working animals are intelligent and feel pain and suffering," he said.

"There are ways to train them effectively without resorting to cruelty."

Pronged or spiked collars are designed to cut into a dog when it strains on its leash.

Electronic shock collars will be restricted to registered dog trainers, vets and people under their supervision.

The proposed regulations are currently open for public comment and were expected to become law later this year, a government spokesman said.

AAP

[samanthac]

That is SUCH a load of bull. The collars are NOT designed to cut into the dog. They are designed to pinch the dog and any idiot with half a barin can see the prongs are dull.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Looks like these people didn't do their research...

Brooke

[damp]

Since 1993 both prong and E-collars have been banned here.
No matter what our opinions are, it’s my and many others experience, that it’s possible to train dogs without these types of collars.

[Wookie'sMom]

It's certainly possible to train without a prong (I have never used one personally) just as it is possible to train without a clicker. They are training aids and are NOT inherently evil, but like anything else they probably can be used incorrectly to inflict pain and damage. Have you ever put one on your neck or thigh and "corrected" yourself? I have even though I don't plan on using one (not ruled out, but just not in the current plans), there is a slight pinching sensation, that's all (and I "corrected" myself fairly hard). I've actually seen studies that say that plain choak chains are far more likely to damage a dog's throat than a prong.

[damp]

Originally Posted by Wookie'sMom

It's certainly possible to train without a prong (I have never used one personally) just as it is possible to train without a clicker. They are training aids and are NOT inherently evil, but like anything else they probably can be used incorrectly to inflict pain and damage.

I agree

Originally Posted by Wookie'sMom

Have you ever put one on your neck or thigh and "corrected" yourself?

No...I am prohibited from doing it ;)

[TrishB]

I can understand the thought process here. If a prong is used correctly - no, it isn't designed to "cut into" the dogs neck.

However, if it's used incorrectly - yes, it can cut in and cause considerable pain.

Sadly, I tend to see more being used incorrectly rather than correctly. :(

So maybe it's more of a ban on those who can't be bothered to learn how to use the tool correctly. Sure it's an inconvenience to those who do - but it will protect the dogs from the majority without a clue.

[Bruce Lanthier]

Then I don't understand the thought process. If you are going to ban something because its' misuse could harm a dog then lets take it a step further. The misuse of alchohol actually kills people. Shouldn't they ban that? That is a ridiculous premise to ban something. Because it can be misused and cause harm. Next thing you know they'll ban Rottweilers in some places in Canada because the misuse of a Rottweiler may cause harm to someone.

[spidey]

Sorry, I just don't see the logic there - ANY collar can cause harm, ESPECIALLY a choke chain (which can strangle a dog, something a prong cannot do, since it's self-limiting both in terms of how tight it gets (it's a martingale or limited-slip collar) and in terms of how far the prongs press into the neck). They're banning the prong based on its appearance and an inaccurate interpretation of how it works, I'd be extremely interested in seeing any hard data they have to back up this decision. It's a far more humane collar than a choke chain. A prong can't cut into the neck unless it's modified (sharpened), of fit completely incorrectly, improper use may cause discomfort, but not cutting except in extreme cases of bad fitting. A choke chain, on the other hand, requires no modification to strangle a dog to death.

[TrishB]

I didn't say that I agreed with it - only that I understand it.

And yes - there ARE bans on Rottweilers because of owner stupidity - it's called BSL.

In the absence of education - this is what seems to be a viable option.

Personally? I'd prefer education - but someone has to pay for it. Good luck at finding the funding.

[spidey]

It only seems to be a viable option in the absence of any real data about how the collars work and how harmful they actually are (as opposed to how harmful they LOOK like they are). For this decision to be logically consistent, they'd have to ban all collars, since all collars can cause pain, and collars like choke chains are FAR worse than prongs in terms of causing discomfort and possible actual harm or even death, but they're not banning them, so clearly the only conclusion you can reach is that it's based NOT on facts about how the collars work or how much discomfort they have the potential to cause (because other collars are far more potentially and actually harmful), but on pressure from people who make assumptions about those things based on how the collar looks, or personal issues with shock collars in principle, which is not a good way to make laws.

[xdaniel67x]

The prong collar was a godsave with my dogs.
I don't see why they would outlaw a prong collar when it is more humane than a choke collar...... At least a prong collar has a limit point whereas the chain choker doesnt. And the fact that a lot of people don't even use chocker chains correctly...but i digress.
What a ridiculous and unresearched piece of legislation.

[lblax]

and where is micks reply to all this????????

[JBK]

I don't feel this is going to affect the majority of Aussie pet owners anyway, one rarely sees a prong being used on a dog here. The "choker," check chain, call it what you want..... is way more common here, although the Halti and Gentle Leader are becoming far more popular now.

Joanne

[Mattweiser]

that is suprising to me.. not because of the ban.. Because I thought that pinch collars had been baned years ago in Australia.

but the second part suprised me more.. they are banning prongs, but still allowing electrics (for professionals only). interesting......

I know I would still use one regardless.. hide it with my illegal firearm ;)