Ireland: Remote-controlled shock collars for cats and dogs to be banned

On 7 May 2024, the Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., has announced plans to ban the use of electronic shock collars on dogs and cats, which are controlled by hand-held remote devices. This ban specifically targets remote-controlled shock collars. However, the use of shock collars will not be banned outright, according to the minister. For example, it does not apply to anti-bark collars or those used with boundary fences to manage other animals. Furthermore, under the proposed regulation, current users of these shock collars will need to register with the Department, providing their dog’s microchip ID and dog license number. They can continue using the collars for the lifetime of the registered dog. Additionally, the regulation will include exemptions for the use of these devices with deaf dogs, addressing concerns raised during the public consultation.