Law by nation → Use of electronic shock collars on cats and dogs

Can an electric shock collar be used on a cat or dog?

An electronic collar is one designed to administer an electric shock to the animal wearing it. Wales made attaching one to a cat or dog an offence in 2010 and remains the only nation to have done so. England laid draft regulations in 2023 which were not made, and said in December 2025 that it would consult on a ban.

Last reviewed 25 August 2026. It depends which nation you are in — all four are below.

This is a description of the law, not legal advice. Every row links to the primary source and carries the date it was last checked. Check the source before relying on it — general licences are reissued each January and commencement dates move.

The position in each nation

England

Not prohibited
In force from
not recorded
Instrument
no instrument recorded

No legislation prohibiting the use of electronic collars on cats or dogs in England has been identified. Causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal is an offence under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 whatever equipment is involved, but the equipment itself is not prohibited.

Proposed change — not yet law

Draft Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (England) Regulations 2023 were laid before Parliament and debated in June 2023 but were not made. On 21 December 2025 Defra published an animal welfare strategy which includes consulting on a ban on the use of electric shock collars, with the strategy's commitments stated for delivery by the end of 2030.

Source

legislation.gov.uk · checked 25 August 2026

Wales

Banned
In force from
24 March 2010
Instrument
Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (Wales) Regulations 2010, regulation 2

It is an offence to attach an electronic collar to a cat or a dog, to cause one to be attached, or to be responsible for an animal wearing one. An electronic collar is defined as a collar designed to administer an electric shock. The regulations were made under section 12 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and carry up to 51 weeks' imprisonment, a fine at level 5 on the standard scale, or both.

legislation.gov.uk · checked 25 August 2026

Scotland

Not prohibited
In force from
not recorded
Instrument
no instrument recorded

No Scottish legislation prohibiting electronic collars has been identified. The Scottish Government's Guidance on Dog Training Aids states that it does not condone electronic shock collars, electronic anti-bark collars or electronic containment systems. Guidance is not a prohibition. Causing unnecessary suffering is an offence under section 19 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.

Scottish Government · checked 25 August 2026

Northern Ireland

Not prohibited
In force from
not recorded
Instrument
no instrument recorded

No Northern Ireland legislation prohibiting electronic collars has been identified. Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal is an offence under the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

legislation.gov.uk · checked 25 August 2026

Sources

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