Question reference: S5W-14057
- Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 24 January 2018
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Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 24 January 2018
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its position on electronic training devices for dogs.
Answer
The Scottish Government intends to ensure electronic training devices cannot be used to cause pain to animals. We will consult with animal welfare organisations to develop specific Guidance under Article 38 of the Animal Health and Welfare Scotland Act (2006). This Guidance will be published promptly to allow Courts to take it fully into account when considering criminal cases involving those accused of causing unnecessary suffering to animals.
We will not be pursuing our initial plans to recognise a qualification for trainers wishing to use electronic training collars.
Initial draft guidance has been published and is available at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/animal-welfare/AnimalWelfare/companion/electronictrainingaids