Lewis & Clark College: Ban Shock Collars, Prong Collars and Choke Chains on Campus!
- by: Tarun B
Dear Lewis & Clark Administration,
We undersigned students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni of Lewis & Clark College, would like to ask that you adopt a policy that prohibits shock collars, prong collars, and choke chains from use on Lewis & Clark property.
Shock collars multiply stress rates by five, can burn an animal’s neck, “fry” an animal’s brain, and lead to fear- and aggression-related behaviors including biting, “withdrawal,” urination and defecation.1 Prong collars and choke chains can cause collapsed tracheas, neck, head, and spinal cord injuries, and ear and eye problems. Long-term risks include damage to the thyroid gland, from which immune system damage can result.2 All of these collars can lead to long-term emotional distress and aggression.
Shock collars have been banned in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Slovenia, and Wales, and are illegal or restricted in parts of Australia and Canada. Prong collars have been banned in Austria, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Quebec, and import has been banned in Australia.
The following organizations support a ban on shock collars in the UK: “the Kennel Club (the British equivalent of the AKC), the Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), The Dogs Trust and Blue Cross (three animal welfare organizations), UK Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Association of Chief Police Officers, The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, and the UK Armed Forces.”3 The Association of Chief Police Officers prohibits the use of shock collars or pinch collars in training police dogs. Amazon, UK prohibits sale of prong collars on their website.
The following trainers speak against out the use of aversive collars: Grisha Stewart, Nando Brown, Victoria Stilwell, Zak George, Alex Antoniazzi.
There are plenty of alternatives to aversive collars. Harnesses allow control. Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) allows an animal to explore the atmosphere at their own pace.
Please show support for our non-human companions and our community, and take the progressive measure that several nations have taken, and ban such aversive collars. As an institution with one of the most developed Animal Law programs in the world, and the first Animal Law LLM program in the world, this progressive step only compliments our institutional values.
Thank you for your time.
1. “Considerations for shock and ‘training’ collars: Concerns from and for the working dog community.” Journal of Veterinary Behavior 2 (2007): 103-107.
2. Hallgren, Animal Behavior Consultants Newsletter July, 1992, V.9
3. “No to Shock Collars! -- Train with Your Brain, Not Pain!” Green Acres Kennel Shop, 2006.
We undersigned students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni of Lewis & Clark College, would like to ask that you adopt a policy that prohibits shock collars, prong collars, and choke chains from use on Lewis & Clark property.
Shock collars multiply stress rates by five, can burn an animal’s neck, “fry” an animal’s brain, and lead to fear- and aggression-related behaviors including biting, “withdrawal,” urination and defecation.1 Prong collars and choke chains can cause collapsed tracheas, neck, head, and spinal cord injuries, and ear and eye problems. Long-term risks include damage to the thyroid gland, from which immune system damage can result.2 All of these collars can lead to long-term emotional distress and aggression.
Shock collars have been banned in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Slovenia, and Wales, and are illegal or restricted in parts of Australia and Canada. Prong collars have been banned in Austria, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Quebec, and import has been banned in Australia.
The following organizations support a ban on shock collars in the UK: “the Kennel Club (the British equivalent of the AKC), the Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), The Dogs Trust and Blue Cross (three animal welfare organizations), UK Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Association of Chief Police Officers, The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, and the UK Armed Forces.”3 The Association of Chief Police Officers prohibits the use of shock collars or pinch collars in training police dogs. Amazon, UK prohibits sale of prong collars on their website.
The following trainers speak against out the use of aversive collars: Grisha Stewart, Nando Brown, Victoria Stilwell, Zak George, Alex Antoniazzi.
There are plenty of alternatives to aversive collars. Harnesses allow control. Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) allows an animal to explore the atmosphere at their own pace.
Please show support for our non-human companions and our community, and take the progressive measure that several nations have taken, and ban such aversive collars. As an institution with one of the most developed Animal Law programs in the world, and the first Animal Law LLM program in the world, this progressive step only compliments our institutional values.
Thank you for your time.
1. “Considerations for shock and ‘training’ collars: Concerns from and for the working dog community.” Journal of Veterinary Behavior 2 (2007): 103-107.
2. Hallgren, Animal Behavior Consultants Newsletter July, 1992, V.9
3. “No to Shock Collars! -- Train with Your Brain, Not Pain!” Green Acres Kennel Shop, 2006.
Update #16 years ago
Thank you all for signing! I am taking this down, because it's specific to the Lewis & Clark College community; however, I plan to do some more global petitions, so please stay tuned for those!
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