Enforcment Collars
Campaign headed and written by Robin Glover ( Dog Listener)
Well the local council elections are over and a lot of politicians have had a wake up call. Others see new opportunities ahead. It is for this reason that we must start putting pressure on politicians at all levels and of all parties whether elected or hoping for election.
There was an attempt to ban electric shock collars recently but it failed at the second reading. The reason for this was that it was a 'Private Members Bill' and very few of those go on to become law without the support of the Government of the day. It is strange that a Government that was so rabidly obsessive about banning fox hunting, a subject that evenly divided public opinion, can think that is acceptable to traumatize and torture.
I have had a couple of justifications by users and suppliers addressed to me. One 'trainer' told me that they were a vital tool for real 'hands on' trainers if they were to achieve their aims!! He went on to tell me that if I'd ever had to deal with really aggressive dogs I'd soon change my mind. apparantly it's alright for me and all my tree hugging Dog Listener friends but if we had to live in the real world we'd soon change our minds.
I thought that through, maybe he's right?................Never dealt with an aggressive dog? Well of course only all those Police Dogs I've trained and worked over all those years. You wouldn't want to meet them if you'd been naughty!
I thought that through, maybe he's right?................Never dealt with an aggressive dog? Well of course only all those Police Dogs I've trained and worked over all those years. You wouldn't want to meet them if you'd been naughty!
In the two months before I retired one offender tried to kill me with a 'Verey' flare pistol and another tried to rearrange my features with a machete. On both occasions the suspects, after a 'full and frank exchange of views' with my dog Jack, went to hospital. Jack and I went home to well earned tea and cakes.
All of my dogs would put you in hospital if needed but most of the time they spent looking for missing children, mixing with the general public, normal patrol duties, doing school visits (have a look at the pictures on my website) and just enjoying being much loved family pets. How many times have I had to shout, bully, bluster, hit, or otherwise abuse my dogs? None.
The traditionalist argues that to 'reach a standard', whatever that is, you have to 'keep on top of them and show them you're the master'. All I can offer in reply is the trophies I've been awarded and commendations received, not for competitions won but for operational Police work with my Dogs. I suppose you could say that was living in the real world?
A manufacturer of electric collars justifies their use by saying that this equipment, "Makes for happier homes as the pet and owner develop a better relationship." Yeah, right!
So what do we need to do to put pressure on all politicians of all parties at all levels? Firstly we have a petition on the Downing Street website please read and sign this to show we have numbers on our side. It can be found at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Traumatised-Dogs/ . We must ensure that when the next General Election comes all parties include in their manifesto a pledge to outlaw this barbaric equipment. I would urge you to write to not only your MP but also to the prospective Parliamentary Candidates of the other parties to ask their views on this matter, refer them to this blog to see pictures of the equipment.
Petitions are great to get the ball rolling but letters have more impact because they have to be answered. The questions that we need to ask are:- Are you aware that dogs are being subjected to cruelty by abusive training equipment such as, electric shock collars and inward facing spiked collars? Would you support a ban on such equipment? If not why not?
I and my fellow Dog Listeners will be putting pressure on from every area. We have a number of plans in the pipeline including hopefully, celebrity support. Watch this space but every journey starts with a small step, so please, sign the petition and encourage others to do the same.
