A DOG-loving MP has joined animal welfare and veterinary organisations in calling for a UK-wide ban on electric shock collars.

Ynys Môn MP Albert Owen joined forces with the Kennel Club, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, the British Veterinary Association, Dogs Trust, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home and the Scottish Kennel Club in Parliament for an event calling for a UK-wide ban on the use and sale of the collars, which were outlawed in Wales in 2010.

The event for Members of Parliament – sponsored by MPs Matthew Offord, Deidre Brock, Tim Farron, Angela Smith and Ross Thomson – gave politicians the opportunity to call upon the Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, to open a consultation on how to ban the sale and use of the devices.

It also saw a number of MPs in attendance try out the device on themselves. Electric shock collars are fitted around a dog’s neck and deliver an electric shock via a remote control or automatic trigger.

They train dogs through fear of further punishment by administering shocks to the animal when they do not perform and allegedly cause significant suffering.

Research published by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) concluded the use of electric shock collars as a training method had long-term negative welfare impacts on dogs.

An independent survey commissioned by the Kennel Club found that 74 per cent of the public would support the Government in introducing a ban on their use.

Mr Owen said: “As a dog owner myself, I was pleased to attend the event and fully support a ban on the use and sale of electric shock collars.

“Given that electric shock collars are both detrimental to dog welfare and unpopular amongst the general public, I strongly believe that the time is right for the Government to show their commitment to dog welfare and ban these cruel and unnecessary devices.

“The Labour government in Wales has led the way on this. It is time the rest of the UK follows.”

The Kennel Club, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, the BVA, Dogs Trust, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home and the Scottish Kennel Club assert that every dog should be trained using humane and positive, reward-based methods.