Charity says child abuse case shows barbarity of shock collars and calls for ban

Animal welfare charity OneKind has renewed its calls for a ban on shock collars in light of a child abuse case involving one of the devices.

Lanna Monaghan from Fort Augustus gave her young boy electric shocks using a dog training collar after seeing one being used on a dog.

After a trial this week Monaghan , 34, was found guilty and now faces jail for her crimes.

OneKind director Harry Huyton said the case was another reason why electric shock collars must be banned immediately.

“OneKind has long campaigned for a ban from a pet welfare perspective, but these collars, along with other devices that deliver pain and are intended for use on pets, are instruments of cruelty,” he said. “Their free and easy availability inevitably results in tragedies like this one.”

These collars, along with other devices that deliver pain and are intended for use on pets, are instruments of cruelty

The charity is warning that unless electric shock collars are banned, anyone will continue to be able to buy these devices freely.

Wales has already taken the lead and banned and despite the Scottish Government publishing a consultation document on whether to ban or regulate them at the beginning of this year there is yet to be any action taken.

OneKind has set up an online petition calling on the Minister, Fergus Ewing MSP to take action and ban electric shock collars.

Huyton added: “There is overwhelming support for a ban. A recent YouGov poll of the Scottish public commissioned by OneKind and other welfare charities showed that 77% of people in Scotland supported a ban.

“At OneKind, we raise awareness of the connection between cruelty – and kindness - to people and animals. A person who hurts an animal may well hurt a human, and vice versa.

"A ban wouldn’t have prevented cruelty to this poor child. Nor will it prevent cruelty to dogs and cats. But it would make it harder.”