Many constituents have been in touch, contacting about amendments submitted to the Welfare of Dogs Bill which would add questions to the code of practice on the use of electric shock collars (ESCS) and restrict the use of other training tools.
I and Scottish Labour colleagues are supportive of the Bill and the amendments aimed at restricting the use of harmful training tools on dogs, such as prongs and choke collars, as well as ESCS. Welfare organisations, charities, and the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission have stated that their use should be prohibited. The Scottish Government have already stated through their ‘Guidance on Dog Training Aids’ that the most effective method of training dogs is positive training and do not condone the use of static pulse collars or any other method of inflicting physical punishment or negative reinforcement on dogs.
Scottish Labour is committed to strengthening animal welfare protections and have a proud track record of delivering progress on animal welfare in government, from ending the testing of cosmetic products on animals in 1998, to stopping the cruelty of fur farming in 2000, introducing the Hunting Act in 2004, and bringing in the landmark Animal Welfare Act in 2006.
I and my Labour colleagues believe animal welfare must always have a high priority in legislation – animals cannot speak up for themselves, so we must protect them from harm on their behalf.