Dogs across Wales are breating a sigh of relief after the National Assembly for Wales voted to ban the use of electric shock training devices. The ban is the first of its kind in the UK.

Electric shock collars are used to remotely apply an electric shock, usually to the animals neck, to stop unwanted behaviour. But research clearly shows that the application of an electric shock causes both a physiological stress response and behaviours associated with pain, fear and stress in animals.

Before the final vote, various Assembly Members including Jocelyn Davies, Nick Bourne, Lesley Griffiths, Chris Franks, Janet Ryder, Andrew R T Davies, Alun Cairns, Mark Isherwood and Mick Bates were encouraged to vote for a ban by witnessing a demonstration from local trainers of the Kennel Club’s Good Citizen Dog Scheme, to prove further that dogs can be successfully trained without the need for electric shock training devices and aversive training techniques.

Kennel Club Communications Director, Caroline Kisko said: “Today, Wales has proven that it is truly leading the way and we hope that the rest of the UK will follow by example to outlaw these cruel and unnecessary devices.”

Claire Lawson, RSPCA public affairs manager for Wales said: "We are delighted with the stance that the Welsh Assembly Government has taken in banning the use of these instruments of cruelty. They have been consigned to the dustbin of history and I hope the rest of the UK will follow suit and do the same."

The Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (Wales) Regulations 2010 came into force this morning. Anyone caught using a device will face a £20,000 fan or six months in prison.