A March 29 article in the Toronto Sun relates the abuse of two Portugese Fila dogs, three Chihuahua mixes and a puppy in one Toronto, Ontario residence.
Investigators with the Toronto Humane Society visited the home and issued previous warnings to the dogs’ owners. Then the society moved in to removed them from the home. The two Portuguese Filas were found wearing shock collars and chained up in the back yard.
Though the article does not state the conditions of the actual home, THS senior agent, Tre Smith said, “I am happy to see the animals out of the terrible and neglectful conditions.”
As a result, charges may be pending.
Shock Collars Banned
The use of shock collars has already been deemed inhumane to pets and banned in Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia, Austria and many parts of Australia. In Ireland, the Welsh Assembly has just moved to ban the use of shock collars on pets and is backed by the local kennel club and the Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
A group in Canada, the International Positive Dog Training Association www.ipdta.org, is also opposed to the use of shock collars. Their Code of Conduct states:
“Any tool or technique that was designed as an aversive or to cause fear and/or pain for the dog is not to be used by IPDTA members, anyone training at the member's facility or training in any capacity under the member's business name. If at any point a tool or technique causes fear, other alternatives must be investigated.”
There are three basic types of shock collars: those used along with underground electric fences to keep a dog in a confined area, remotely activated collars whereby a dog owner pushes a button to administer a shock when a dog misbehaves and voice activated shock collars triggered whenever your pet barks. In each case, two electrodes press against the dog’s neck and when the collar is triggered, a shock is emitted.
An electrical shock collar is operated either via batteries or the home’s electrical system and is used by some dog owners to control and or train their pets. There is a beeping mechanism to warn your dog of an impending shock and different settings on the collar so you can choose between a gentle shock or a more painful one. You would think this would be enough to ensure safety, but is it really?
See Part 2: Should Electric Shock Collar be used on your Shih Tzu?
Are Electric Shock Collars effective? One Person’s Story
Comments
Martha: The Toronto Humane Society was raided by the OSPCA in November 2009 and is not taking in any new animals. In fact, they are euthanizing animals like crazy. Tre Smith was arrested, along with several others, and is no longer a THS senior agent. The rescue to which you refer occurred in April 2009. Can you provide a link to the March 29 (2010?) Toronto Sun article?
those poor dogs, I do hope they are psychologically okay
Anita: I brought up this event as it relates to dogs with shock collars, but you are right, this occurred in April 2009. I rechecked the article and I believe I noticed the first date appearing instead of the date further down of the last update to the article. Sorry for any confusion. I tried to post the link but this system won't let me. Just Google Toronto Humane Society, shock collars and you will find it.
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