Charlie McConalogue
Question:480. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to prohibit the use of shock collars for dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39659/18]
View answerTuesday, 2 October 2018
Questions (480)
Written answers
Under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 a person is prohibited from causing unnecessary pain or suffering or endangering the health and welfare of any animal. The Act also provides that a person having possession of an animal must ensure that the animal is kept in a manner that safeguards its health and welfare.
SI No. 108 of 2014 provides for a ban on electro-immobilisation by means of any electrical equipment of an instrument which applies a sustained electric current or impulse directly to a live animal. Electrical stimulation or shock collars for training dogs are designed to produce lower stimuli lasting milliseconds rather than produce a sustained electric current.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently launched a consultation process for an Animal Welfare Strategy. The issue raised by the Deputy can be examined as part of this process.