Wales’ Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones, has welcomed today’s judgement in the Royal Courts of Justice in favour of her decision to ban the use of electronic shock collars for dogs and cats in Wales.
The legislation to ban the use of such devices was passed by the National Assembly for Wales in March 2010, and was subsequently challenged by the Electronic Collar Manufacturers Association. A judicial review hearing was held on 8 October 2010.
Mr Justice Beatson today handed down judgement which agreed that the Welsh Assembly Government had acted properly in introducing the Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (Wales) Regulations 2010.
Elin Jones said:
“I welcome today’s judgement, which confirms that we correctly used our powers under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to introduce a ban on the use of electronic shock collars.
“The decision to ban the use of these shock collars came after three separate public consultations and notification to the European Commission. Legislation to implement the ban was passed unanimously by the National Assembly for Wales on 23 March 2010 and came into effect the following day.
”Today’s decision vindicates our careful approach in making these regulations. In Wales, reward-based training and control of animals is acceptable. The use of collars which deliver an electric shock to a dog or cat is not.”
This judgement supports the aims of the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy, which is a ten-year plan of continuing and lasting improvement in standards of animal health and welfare.
