Pronged collars to be banned in Queensland.
Pronged collars designed to punish dogs are set to be banned in Queensland as part of a wider crackdown on animal cruelty. The collars are made of metal and designed to tighten around a dog’s neck when pressure is applied.
The announcement was made by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Sunday who said the devices were not in line with most Queenslanders’ view of appropriate animal discipline. She wrote on Facebook.
Pronged Training Dog Collar
“We know the majority of Queenslanders support tougher penalties and regulations against cruelty to animals…That’s why this week we’ll be debating animal welfare laws in the Queensland parliament – an issue close to the hearts of so many Queenslanders.”
It is already illegal to import pronged collars to Australia and the devices have been banned in Victoria since 2008.
Animal welfare groups, such as the RSPCA, have been staunch advocates against the legality of the collars.
RSPCA said the collars are used “inflicting pain as punishment” on pets and pinch their skin when pulled at. RSPCA website reads: -
“Unfortunately, some dog trainers recommend these collars, even though more humane training methods are available…(This includes) reward-based training, which has also been shown to be more effective than aversive methods.”
The move to ban was partially triggered by a review conducted by the Palaszczuk Government in early 2020 and attracted thousands of community responses.
Agriculture minister Mark Furner clarified further details about the ban during a press conference later in the day. Furner said: -
“Today we're talking about changes to the use and possession of pronged collars on dogs, so they'll be banned…A very inhumane practice in the way you can train dogs.”
The metal collars inflict pain on dogs as a form of 'punishment' by tightening around their necks when pressure is applied. The individual holding the leash is able to pull the collar, with the blunted prongs pinching the animal's neck.
Minister Furner also announced the state government will be banning the use of yellow phosphorus as feral pig poison as well as the practice of cauterising horse legs.
The government will be giving animal inspectors more powers as well, with the possibility they'll be able to issue on-the-spot fines in circumstances involving animal cruelty.
More amendments are expected to be announced over the week.
The changes come after the Queensland government announced in December 2020 it would be conducting an extensive review into its animal welfare laws.
