The Assembly Government this week announced its intention to introduce a ban on the use of electric-shock dog collars in Wales.
The collars, which are currently legally available in Wales, are worn around a dog's neck and work either via a remote control with various settings which, when pressed, delivers an electric shock, or delivers an automatic shock to the dog when it barks.
Labour party spokesperson for Rural Affairs, Joyce Watson, welcomed the announcement and urged the Government to consider extending the ban to other "cruel" and "unnecessary" devices:
"I met representatives from the Kennel Club some time ago, and was given a demonstration of the pain and distress that these devices cause the dog; not just electric-shock collars but other devices like electric-shock leads and mats.
"There are many ways for people to train their pets but the most effective device is always responsible ownership.
Government Minister, Elin Jones, responded by saying that the Welsh Assembly Government was committed to the principle of the ban and would consider the scope of the legislation in the near future.
"The general principle here is that, if a dog cannot escape a shock, the device administering the shock is cruel and unnecessary.
"There is a range of products— and, no doubt, new products will come onto the market onto the market—that we will need to consider in our further discussions on the scope of the legislation."
