(iv) The dog has not been tethered for longer than 30 minutes in temperatures above 90 or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Fails to allow the dog to move at least 12 feet or, if the device is a pulley system, fails to allow the dog to move a total of 12 feet; or. For purposes of this section, "maliciously" means the person imposed the restraint intentionally and with malice or bad motive. The tether shall be a minimum of 10 feet in length and allow the dog convenient access to the dog house and to food and water containers. West’s Ann. Penalty under Animal Neglect in the First Degree: Under 167.330, a person commits the crime of animal neglect in the first degree if the person intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence  tethers a domestic animal in the person's custody or control and the tethering results in serious physical injury or death to the domestic animal. The weight of any chain or tether shall not exceed one-eighth ( ⅛ ) of the dog's total body weight. What will you do if my dog gets it right? One of the biggest concerns about shock collar training is that the animal does not know when the shock is coming and has no choice or power over it. A person who maliciously restrains a dog using a chain or wire grossly in excess of the size necessary to restrain the dog safely violates this law. My Dog’s Hunting Instincts, that dogs learn easily without having such tactics, behavior modification without using force, Victoria Stilwell’s Positively Dog Training Licensed Trainers, Jean Donaldson’s Academy for Dog Trainers, every behavior we desire from dogs without hurting them. Does not permit the animal to reach food, water, shade, dry ground, Does not permit the animal to escape harm, seriously endangers the animal's life or health. For dogs other than dogs kept as sled dogs or dogs used in competition, the chain or tether must be at least 5 times the length of the dog measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail. In all parts of the country, however, the import of shock collars is illegal and subject to penalty under the respective national laws. Dogs who are repeatedly subjected to a shock — whether it comes from a collar or an underground fencing device — can suddenly “redirect” aggressively on whoever or whatever is closest to her when she receives the shock. Stay informed! in a manner that results, or could reasonably result, in the dog becoming frequently entangled on the restraint or another object; if multiple dogs tethered, each dog must be on a separate tether and not secured to the same fixed point; where the tether does not allow the dog to sit, lie down, and stand comfortably without the restraint becoming taut and allow the dog a range of movement; when it is ill, suffering from a debilitating disease, injured, in distress, in the advanced stages of pregnancy, or under six months of age; without access to clean water and necessary shelter that is safe and protective while tethered; in a manner that results in the dog being left in unsafe or unsanitary conditions or that forces the dog to stand, sit, or lie down in its own excrement or urine; with a choke, pinch, slip, halter, or prong-type collar, or by any means other than with a properly fitted buckle-type collar or harness that provides enough room between the collar or harness and the dog's throat to allow normal breathing and swallowing; where the weight of the tether shall not unreasonably inhibit the free movement of the dog within the area allowed by the length of the tether; in a manner that causes the dog injury or pain. Please share your experiences in the comments. — train your dog to behave (or compete) exactly how you want? Jan 21st 2016, There is no need or valid reason to shock, poke, hang, hit, or throw chains at your dog, or to spray water in his face or hurl him to the ground on his back (called an alpha roll). Moreover, the anti-bark collar can be of the spray type or shock. § 459-305 . Animal neglect in the first degree is a Class A misdemeanor. Shock collars are VERY VERY wrong. Shock collars are banned in Wales, but with the help of a new proposal, the cruel devices may be banned in all of England, thanks to a campaign by local animal welfare organizations.“Training a dog with an electric shock collar causes physical and psychological harm and is never acceptable, especially given the vast array of positive training methods available. Tethering or chaining a dog simply means that a person ties a dog with a rope, line, or chain to a stationary object. You can tell the stupid woman that the Dogs Trust, RSPCA and Kennel Club are all fervently against the use of electric shock collars. Second and subsequent convictions are punishable by a sentence of imprisonment of not more than two years or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both. start of page. We’ve moved far away from the old days in schools where kids were hit by adults with rulers, paddles, or their hands to “teach the child a lesson.” It is past time we stop using antiquated, fear- and pain-causing devices to train dogs. AN OPEN LETTER REGARDING THE USE OF SHOCK IN DOG TRAINING. Shock Collars Simply Aren’t The Answer For Every Dog. Using a tether, chain, tie, trolley or pulley system or other device that: 2. If you have relatives and … How I Survive (and Even Encourage!) ft.), or less than a six foot (6′) radius at ground level. Shock collars are devices that are capable, in the wrong hands, of effortlessly inflicting suffering and punishment at the touch of a button. The problem with changing the law for a small handful of people is the age-old “floodgates” issue. 29:723, is declared by a local political subdivision of the state. Health & Safety Code § 122335. Shock Collars for Dogs or any other animal should be made illegal across the United States. (c) The person knowingly commits the offense in the immediate presence of a minor child and the person has one or more previous convictions for an offense involving domestic violence. Many states require that the tether allow the dog unencumbered access to food, water, and shelter without becoming entangled. “Primary enclosure” means any structure used to immediately restrict an animal or animals to a limited amount of space, such as a room, pen, cage, compartment, or hutch. Boxer wearing a shock collar by Shutterstock. Invisible Fencing/Shock Collar: Does not work for most strong willed dogs. FULL ARTICLE HERE. (d) For more than 15 hours in a 24-hour period if the tether is attached to a running line, pulley or trolley system. If an animal is restricted by a leash, rope, or chain, the leash, rope, or chain shall be affixed in such a manner that it will prevent the animal from becoming entangled or injured and permit the animal's access to adequate shelter, food, and water. Some dogs are more timid and fearful than others. Shock collars are quickly becoming illegal in other countries, and one day — I hope sooner rather than later — they will be illegal to use in the United States as well. (c) The person knowingly commits the offense in the immediate presence of a minor child. 29:723, is declared by executive order or proclamation of the governor. They do not endorse the use of remote shock collars, shock leashes, anti-bark collars, electric fences or mats. So to answer your question, NO, shock collars aren’t illegal in the US and you’re able to use it. The Pet Professional Guild (PPG) believes unequivocally that the pet-owning general public needs – and deserves – to have increased access to better education to help ensure that all pet animals live in safe, nurturing and stable environments. They have three basic modes like vibration, beep, and static stimulation. The tether shall be designed for dogs and no logging chains or other lines or devices not designed for tethering dogs shall be used. Why scare or harm your dog when we know how to get every behavior we desire from dogs without hurting them? Annie Phenix, CPDT-KA (2) At least 1.5 times the length of the dog measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail if the anchor is a pivot point allowing a 360° area of movement. Using electric shock collars to train dogs doesn't work and 'positive reinforcement' is a better tool, a new study found. The cable must be mounted at least 4 feet but not more than 7 feet above ground level; and. The law has been repealed as evidence to customs suggests shock collars are not harmful to dogs, and are readily available in most areas of Australia. Sadly no, they're not illegal in England. Namely, shock, prong, and choke collars. West Virginia and the District of Columbia include “cruelly chains” in its list of activities that constitute misdemeanor animal cruelty. There Is No Reason to Use a Shock Collar. First offense, issued a written warning or punished by a fine of not more than $50, Second offense, punished by a fine of not more than $200. Join Annie on her dog-training Facebook page. Imprisonment up to 180 days and/or fine up to $250. Any person in violation of this section shall be imprisoned not exceeding 11 months, or fined not less than $50.00 nor exceeding $500, or both. Dogs confined to residential property of the owner, keeper, or harborer, by an electronic fence or an electronic collar, shall not be permitted to be nearer than 10 feet away from any public sidewalk or property line that is contiguous to neighboring property. 3. in the case of extreme weather conditions, including conditions in which: a. the actual or effective outdoor temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit; b. a heat advisory has been issued by a local or state authority or jurisdiction; or. When dogs bark it is just thier way of communicating. Please also invite them to Google “dominance theory debunked.”. Hello, I edited this shock collar entry to remove the section saying shock collars are illegal to import into Australia. VallhalaLalalalalalalalaaaaaa Tue 28-Dec-10 18:46:06. For example, Indiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania require that the tether be three times the length of the dog. A remote is used to deliver shock to the pets that are wearing the collar. If the dog has been tethered less than 9 hours within a 24-hour period with all of the following conditions, it is a rebuttable presumption that it IS NOT neglect: (i) The tether is of a type commonly used for the size and breed of dog and is at least three times the length of the dog as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail or 10 feet, whichever is longer. According to The Humane Society of the United States respectively, "Shock collars use electric current passing through metal contact points on the collar to give your dog a signal. 2nd or subsequent conviction: Class E felony. © 2019 Belvoir Media Group. None. Indiana defines “neglect” as restraining an animal for more than a brief period in a manner that endangers the animal's life or health by the use of a rope, chain, or tether. West’s Ann. Some may even have pre-existing fears and anxieties that would make the use of a shock collar counterproductive. § 5532. Ocean Spray skates into viral TikTok trend, Microsoft and Wells Fargo defend DE&I commitments, and Petco stops selling ‘shock’ collars Also: Kraft asks consumers to ‘send noods,’ Netflix faces charges in Texas for promoting ‘Cuties,’ many think cyberattacks will be more common during COVID-19, and more. "Cruelly chains" means attaching an animal to a stationary object or a pulley by means of a chain, rope, tether, leash, cable, or similar restraint under circumstances that may endanger its health, safety, or well-being. Some animals acclimate to the pain level on their neck and endure it (I’ve seen countless photos and videos of dogs outfitted with TWO shock collars, and sometimes the second one is around the dog’s genitals), and if they are still not doing what the trainer asked the animal to do, the trainer often increases the rate of stimulation from the collar. § 4015 ("Proper shelter, protection from the weather and humanely clean conditions"): When tethering is the primary means of confinement for a dog, the standards for shelter and tethering are as follows: The chain or tether must be attached to both the dog and the anchor using swivels or similar devices that prevent the chain or tether from becoming entangled or twisted. A person who violates this section is penalized per. Such practices are also inherently damaging to the animal, as we will outline below. * A positive reinforcer is a stimulus such as food, games, treats, toys (i.e.  |  The Pet Professional Guild posted an "open letter" denouncing shock collar use, and I could not agree more. In Fact, It Should Be Illegal The Pet Professional Guild posted an "open letter" denouncing shock collar use, and I could not agree more. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense. The dog must not be tethered in the following ways: First offense shall result in a correction warning being issued requiring the offense to be corrected by the person who owns, keeps, or controls the dog within 7 days after the date of the warning being issued in lieu of an infraction, A second offense is a class 2 civil infraction, A third or subsequent offense is a class 1 civil infraction. (ii) The tether is secured to a well-fitted collar or harness by means of a swivel anchor, swivel latch or other mechanism designed to prevent the dog from becoming entangled. This was true until 2008. c. a hurricane, tropical storm, or tornado warning has been issued for the jurisdiction by the National Weather Service. I was walking my well-mannered Greyhound this evening around my local public park where there are two signs stating “dogs must be on leash at all times”. (e) A person convicted of violating subsection (b) of this Section is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. (iii) The tethered dog has access to potable water and an area of shade that permits the dog to escape the direct rays of the sun. Numerous studies over the years have shown that using these types of collars on dogs can cause more health and behavioral problems than other dogs. The barbaric act of using a shock collar on a dog to control them due to our own inability and inhumane attitude is the kind of thinking that put Hitler in control for so long. There are also many studies demonstrating that dogs learn easily without having such tactics. Please sign this petition urging Congress to ban these cruel devices nationwide. 1 animal: 93 days imprisonment and/or $1,000 fine (misdemeanor), 2 or 3 animals or the death of an animal: 1 year/$2,000 fine (misdemeanor), 4-10 animals or at least one previous conviction: 2 years/$2,000 fine (felony), 10 or more animals: 4 years/$5,000 fine (felony). A thorough understanding of learning theory. The minute they saw my dog they came for the kill. For the first offense within the immediately preceding 7 years, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be sentenced to: (1) Imprisonment in the city or county jail or detention facility for not less than 2 days, but not more than 6 months; and. (2) Perform not less than 100 hours, but not more than 200 hours, of community service. Boston Terrier wearing a shock collar by Shutterstock. What happens in those states without laws? Why Does My Female Dog Lift Her Leg to Pee? Under 35-46-3-7, neglect of a vertebrate animal is  a Class A misdemeanor (the offense is a Level 6 felony if the person has a prior unrelated conviction under this chapter). So why do we think it’s a legitimate form of dog training here in the US? Under § 4016, a person who violates this chapter commits a civil violation. § 1037 (Animal Welfare for shelters, kennels, breeders, etc.)]. (5) Keep any dog outside, either tethered or otherwise confined, when the ambient temperature is beyond the industry standard for the weather safety scale as set forth in the most recent adopted version of the Tufts Animal Care and Condition Weather Safety Scale (TACC).