Welsh ban on electric ‘sheep worrying’ dog collars to stay

A review of the ban on electric shock collar training for dogs in Wales has been ruled out.

This is despite new data showing that farmers in the region lost more than £300,000 worth of stock last year to dog attacks – four-and-a-half times higher than losses in Scotland.

In 2010, Wales was the first UK region to outlaw the use of electric collars. Scotland then issued guidance in 2018, and a ban is now under consideration in England.

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However, as new NFU Mutual data show soaring numbers of incidents of sheep worrying, campaigners are calling for the ban to be lifted.  

E-collars are used to train dogs to associate sheep with a static pulse, so they become wary of approaching them.

In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, former Welsh secretary David Jones MP called for the ban to be urgently reassessed, suggesting the high number of animal deaths made clear that the ban had failed.

Jamie Penrith, of the Association of Responsible Dog Owners, agreed. “If the Welsh government refuses to review this ban, it would indicate a heartlessness to the sheep which are being savaged and the dogs which are being shot,” he said.

‘No plans’

But the Welsh government has said it has no plans to review the decision it had taken on the use of electric collars.

Instead, it is launching a campaign to raise public awareness of sheep worrying by dogs, as more lambs are turned out to pasture.

Rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths said dog attacks on sheep and other livestock was a  “matter we take very seriously”.

“The majority of owners do the right thing in controlling their dogs, but there are others who don’t,” she said.

“The costs – financially and emotionally – for those who own or find dead and injured animals are wholly unacceptable, as are the animal welfare implications.”

Further safeguards

The minister said the administration was working with the UK government on introducing further safeguards through the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill.

“I urge all owners to ensure their dog is kept under control, and encourage livestock keepers to report all incidents to the police,” she said.

Wales Rural & Wildlife Rural Crime co-ordinator Rob Taylor said attacks by dogs on sheep and other livestock were “wholly preventable’’.

“We see more than 300 attacks a year with animals brutalised and often killed, as well as dogs being shot or euthanised and the owner appearing before the courts,” he said.

“Responsible dog ownership is key and it’s important to ensure pets are under control at all times or, if left home alone, that the house or garden are secure.”