Dog Pinch Collars

An open letter to my MP, Professor Steve Webb.

Hi Steve

Not a petition this time, just a plain ol’ constituent’s letter. 🙂

I’m not a ‘doggie’ person. In fact beyond the fish tank in the dining room and the chickens in the garden I’ve not a lot of time for animals as such. Nevertheless, when I saw the picture below on my Facebook page I was incensed. Aware that so many things that cross the internet are less than accurate, I checked the web site mentioned in the Facebook post to confirm these atrocious devices were actually on sale in Britain. A friend checked with the RSPCA that they are legal to sell in the UK as long as they cause no injury to the animal, and that they are allegedly used solely for the control of fighting dogs (illegal in the UK).

A selection of these collars are on sale in the UK today at, for example, http://www.luvmydog.co.uk – which you have to admit is an ironic address in this context!

http://www.luvmydog.co.uk/acatalog/stainless_products.html

I cannot imagine why anyone would purchase one of these collars without intending to cause injury. Anyone purchasing one would appear to me to be deliberately intending to cause harm, and is likely to be keeping dogs who are so difficult to control they require a pain stimulus – i.e. probably keeping fighting dogs.

I’m sure you will be as appalled as I am. I therefore ask if you would consider strengthening animal rights legislation and making the sale, possession and use of these devices illegal. I’m sharing this letter, as I will with your earliest response. Many thanks.

Mark /| Rosher

http://www.rosher.net