Helping the Dogs Trust to ban electronic shock collars - Selaine Saxby

I have heard how much the people of North Devon care about animal welfare, from the high standards of our farmers to everyone’s love of their pets.

Since this summer’s parliamentary recess began I have received over 90 emails from constituents calling on the Government to bring forward the ban on electronic shock collars.

I have been working with a number of organisations such as the Dog’s Trust to bring in the ban on these devices. Whilst some owners use these collars to control unwanted behaviour evidence shows that not only does it have negative effects on the dog’s wellbeing, but the use of shock collars can increase their fear and in the case of aggressive dogs this leads to more aggressive behaviours.

I am delighted that as part of the Government’s commitment in the Action Plan for Animal Welfare the ban on shock collars will be brought in as soon as parliamentary time allows, and I look forward to voting for it.

I was delighted to be asked to judge the Instow Dog Show earlier this month, although a little nervous as I know Instow is blessed with a huge number of fabulous pooches! They were some of the hardest decisions I have had to make in long time. As a dog lover myself I would have given everyone a rosette and happily taken everyone home to meet Henry.

The whole Instow show was back in full force after a few years off and a massive thank you and congratulations to everyone who made it such a great afternoon.

My apologies to everyone who didn’t get the place they thought they deserved in the dog show, but everyone was a winner. I particularly enjoyed the dog who looked most like their owner – and everyone that dressed up to match their dog! And the young handlers were fabulous. Dog ownership is an utter joy, but being able to control your dog is a real skill and it was great to see so many youngsters mastering it.

Henry is getting ready for the Westminster Dog of the Year show in September. He’s keen to beat his third place he achieved in 2021, and you can vote for him in the Sir David Amess 'pawblic' vote at https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/wdoty.

This recess I have joined the campaign for a ‘Buy British Button’, I am one of over 100 MPs calling for supermarkets to bring in a section on their online store fronts so that shoppers can easily find British produce. Shoppers want to know where their food is coming from and how it is produced. When they buy British produce they have the guarantee that not only will it be of the best quality but that it has been produced to some of the highest animal welfare and environmental standards in the world.

Farmers have faced an expensive harvest following the driest February in 30 years, the hottest June ever recorded and a notably wet July. Alongside the continued effects of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine on prices for energy, fuel and fertiliser. With one small change on their website supermarkets could direct even more shoppers to buy British produce. I am certainly looking forward to using the buy British button in my online shop!