Are Spike collars legal in the UK?

Re: Are Spike collars legal in the UK?

BengalcatRVN — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 20:54:02 GMT

Had a discussion with someone once (10+yrs ago) about these and GSD, he wanted me to order some for his dogs as I worked at a Hunter products stockests, and it was in their catalogue, I flatly refused on welfare grounds. He told me he used them on GSD to train them as it was the only way. I think (if i remember correctly) he got quite annoyed with me as he knew more than I did as he'd spoken to trainers abroad and they said this was needed. I suggested he try one on himself, which went down like a lead ballon He hung up. Charming!

Re: Are Spike collars legal in the UK?

FINNIGAN — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:23:11 GMT

we unfortunatly have a boarding kenmnels/dog trainer near us he swears by these horrid things, when his dogs come in for treatments , we turn then inside out!! hes never too impressed think he knows we dissaprove, they are bloody awfull and id like to put one on him, to see if he likes it!!!!

Re: Are Spike collars legal in the UK?

molladog — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:33:43 GMT

Without seeing it, it sounds like a 'Pinch Collar" which I think is legal. The spikes are blunt and only come into play if the dog pulls so when walking to heel, no pressure is felt. As with all these things, choke chains, slip leads etc, they are fine if used correctly + in the right hands, but dreadful if not.

Re: Are Spike collars legal in the UK?

Gemma Burden RVN — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:00:48 GMT

I was under the impression that they were illegal as well. A nurse I work with told me that at her previous practice they had a dog come in with one on. It had to be removed for whatever procedure it was having, and they called someone for advice (I think it might have been the RSPCA, but I can't be sure about that), and they were advised that they were illegal, and that they would be breaking the law if they put it back on the dog.
The only dog I have even seen one on what a Belgian Shephard that a complete idiot of a dog warden had had imported for some rediculous amount for pretend police dog work (he was the steriotypical shephard, dobermann, rottie etc owner and I am sure he only did it to make himself look hard). We had to sedate the dog to look at its teeth (and found that it was going to need canines removed, which made us laugh considering what he had paid and what he had got the dog for - he really was that horrible a man), and the dog had one of these collars on. He said he needed it to be ensure that the dog was under control as he had only just got it and as it had been trained for police work it was potentially dangerous, but really can't see that that is the reason when you don't see the police etc using them.

Re: Are Spike collars legal in the UK?

Julie-Anne Wilson — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:56:52 GMT

I just found this thread 'cos I was looking up whether they were legal. Just had a lovely GSD in today with one of these on, not exactly like this but more like a spiked collar with the spikes inverted. The spikes were about an inch in length.

I actually thought they were illegal and really didn't want to put the collar back on the dog and we were going to speak to the owner about it, but one of the partners said to leave it and just send the dog home with it.

Hate these things, so evil and cruel.

Re: Are Spike collars legal in the UK?

chanel clydesdale — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:07:43 GMT

My cousins owned 2 japanese akitas and felt the right thing to do was take them to training classes as you do.....so i assisted him finding a 'reputable' class up in scotland and as soon as they discovered which breed they were they automatically advised these collars which i was absolutely disgusted in and needless to say made him change classes as soon as this was mentioned!!

Re: Are Spike collars legal in the UK?

Nicola Smith — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 07:44:54 GMT

I went to a training class run by apdt trainer who encouraged people to use these - I left shortly after! Various other very opinionated views too esp towards veterinary matters and wre giving out advice they werent qualified to - made me very mad and was made to feel like a bad person when they found out I was vet nurse as I was assiting with terrible things lie neutering! - whispering behind my back etc. Finished what had paid for and never went back.

Have to admit I was very shocked by these collars and some people were just yanking away on them - was quite tempted to put one round their leg and yank it tight!

Re: Are Spike collars legal in the UK?

Louise B — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 00:15:20 GMT

Note: in conjunction with the Animal Welfare Act (fab legislation, familiarise yourself with it if you haven't already!), DEFRA has been producing codes of recommendations for the welfare of various species. The dog one is below. Note that violating the code is not illegal but, in the event that you are taking to court for violating the animal welfare act, the judge will use the code of practice as a guide to whether you are failing to look after the animal's welfare needs correctly. Therefore, I would suggest that you discuss the Animal Welfare Act and provide the owner(s) with a copy of the relevant code of Practice.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/cruelty/documents/cop-dogs.pdf

Page 11.

Your dog is required to wear a collar and identity

tag when in a public place. Collars should be of

the correct size and fit, and should not cause

any pain or discomfort.

Re: Are Spike collars legal in the UK?

Kerry Spain — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 23:48:17 GMT

[quote user="Caro Laithwaite VN, MBVNA, C-SQP"]

Yes confirmed legal l looked into it a time back

[/quote]

Thanks

Re: Are Spike collars legal in the UK?

Sal the 1st — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:41:16 GMT

http://www.vetnurse.co.uk/forums/p/5787/55715.aspx#55715

Re: Are Spike collars legal in the UK?

FINNIGAN — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:15:23 GMT

i was told they are legal here, there is a training kennel up from our practise and this guy uses them to train peoples dogs, we have had a few of them in and ive mentioned that i thought it was illegal in this country but was told otherwise, i think they are awfull.

Re: Are Spike collars legal in the UK?

Emma Bartlett — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:25:53 GMT

A friend of mine wasn't allowed to her local dog training class unless her dog was wearing a choke chain........4month old CKCS!!!!! I told her to use the harness that i had advised and if they didn't like it leave I found her an apdt class anyway and she was much happier

Re: Are Spike collars legal in the UK?

Mac Feather — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:08:42 GMT

Ive only encountered one person who used a prong collar and I didnt even get as far as opening my mouth,my facial expression must have said it all as the person then went defensive on me citing that it wasnt painful for the dog!!!!!!!!!!

I didnt get as far as asking if they had tried the collar on themselves!

Re: Are Spike collars legal in the UK?

Steph Worsley — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 17:51:42 GMT

I hate these collars!

Re: Are Spike collars legal in the UK?

Kerry Brennand DipAVN (Surgical) RVN A1 MBVNA — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:34:55 GMT

The collar didnt even work just when he was walking on the canal with no other dogs around he would still pull uncontrollable......he was that strong it was hard to hold him at times.....unfortunately i did my VERY VERY best for that staffie as I loved him and would never cause any dog suffering but that collar was the very last option....

Re: Are Spike collars legal in the UK?

Louise B — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:27:16 GMT

No Sh*t - it didn't work. Perhaps pairing pain with the presence of another dog is likely to make the dog even more reactive in the presence of other dogs. Not dissing you Kerry - I have carried out more than my fair share of more aversive methods to try and correct inappropriate behaviour - thankfully we are gradually moving away from this in the UK.

Technically no they shouldn't be legal. They are a clear violation of the Animal Welfare Act as they work by causing pain and the law covers '[things] likely to cause suffering'. However, there has not been a test case in the UK yet (to my knowledge) under this act yet. The act is so new that there are many things that intuitively result in poor welfare but there needs to be test cases. That's why the Mary Bale (cat bin lady) was charged under something like not providing an appropriate environment to live in (or something like that). Maybe this could be the first for prong collars - chargeable under 'freedom from pain, discomfort, etc' I would imagine

Re: Are Spike collars legal in the UK?

Kerry Brennand DipAVN (Surgical) RVN A1 MBVNA — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:44:56 GMT

I dont like these or choke chains either but I had to use one on my rescued staffie as a very last resort to try to train him when out on a walk as he would try to attack other dogs......unfortunately despite the collar prongs digging in his neck it had no effect at all......he would still pull, spin and try to attack other dogs.......this staffie had mutiple behaviour problems it was the worst case the dog trainer had seen........I have never seen a collar of this type before or since......certainly shoud not be used in teh wrong hands.....this collar was lent to me by the dog trainer......I would certainly not recommend using them.....this was a very extreme case when I used it...

Re: Are Spike collars legal in the UK?

Caro Laithwaite VN — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:41:53 GMT

Yes confirmed legal l looked into it a time back

Re: Are Spike collars legal in the UK?

Katie Tallett RVN MBVNA — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 13:52:51 GMT

i think they are, they are also known as pinch collars and are bloody horrid! we have one dog that comes in with one on and an extending lead

'off you go, run ahead.........stab'- nice

if i had my way i would ban them and choke chains as these are always the collars the brainless* like to use and they end up with bulgy eyed dogs *(not all ppl who use these are brainless, some actually use them correctly and teach their dogs to walk properly on a lead)