Motion or amendment: Banning the Use of Aversive Training Tools for Domestic Animals
Motion or amendment by Ms Diana Armstrong on .
- MLA
- Ms Diana Armstrong
- Party at the time
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Date
- 18 May 2026
- Type
- Motion or amendment
- Business
- Motion · Private Members' Motion
- Heading
- Banning the Use of Aversive Training Tools for Domestic Animals
- Assembly identifier
- Document 485376
Read the official Assembly record Open Data source
Text
Banning the Use of Aversive Training Tools for Domestic Animals
That this Assembly recognises the need to promote animal welfare and humane training methods for domestic animals; agrees that aversive training tools including shock collars, prong collars, choke chains and grot collars are a barbaric and cruel way to train domestic animals; acknowledges that such tools can cause physical and psychological distress to animals creating long-term behavioural issues; notes that the use of electronic shock collars on cats and dogs is prohibited in Wales, and that Government guidance on such tools is provided for in Scotland; supports calls from reward-based dog trainers, Dogs Trust and the USPCA that these tools should be banned for sale, use and ownership; welcomes the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs' recent consultation on animal welfare reform and encourages stakeholders to complete that consultation; calls on the Minister to introduce a bill in the current Assembly mandate to prohibit the use and possession of aversive training tools for domestic animals with appropriate exemptions for veterinarians, animal rescuers and dog wardens to use necessary tools when required for safe handling and in cases of emergencies; and further calls on the Minister to work with the Minister of Justice in considering penalties and ensuring any enforcement measures are sufficiently resourced.
214 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Also tabled by
Each MLA who tabled or co-signed this item has their own record:
- Mr Doug Beattie MC – record
- Mr Jon Burrows – record
- Mr Robbie Butler – record
- Mr Alan Chambers – record
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