A Kerry TD is totally opposed to a ban on collars that emit electric shocks to dogs if they wander outside a pre-determined boundary.
Cllr Michael Healy-Rae has objected to the possibility of a ban on the use of electronic shock collars for canines following the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine opening a public consultation on the matter and inviting interested parties to make submissions.
The proposal would see the outright ban on electric dog collars for domestic owners and could lead further to other livestock solutions being affected, the Kerry politician maintained.
“This is totally wrong and a backward step. This modern technology which means an area can be fenced to control a dog is most welcome.
“I would compare it to the electric fences that have been used for many years on our farms which is an essential tool for our livestock control.
“If these collars are banned for dogs, then what is the difference between electric methods being used to control a dog or being used to control livestock?” Deputy Healy-Rae asked.
He said trying to control a large bull on a farm bull without the benefit of an electric fence it would be impossible and dangerous.
The Kerry TD has called on people to actively voice their own opinions and engage in the submission process so that they can oppose this change.
“There is a lot more pressing issues that the department could be engaging with for the farming and rural community at the moment especially with the financial squeeze being put of farm families” Deputy Healy-Rae stated.
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