The Scottish Government has been urged to ban the sale of electric shock collars for dogs.
Aberdeen Central SNP MSP Kevin Stewart said they were “unnecessarily cruel” devices and has urged Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead to act.
The collars are worn around a dog’s neck and deliver an electric shock either via a remote control or an automatic trigger.
They are used to train dogs through a fear of further punishment rather than from a natural willingness to obey.
The Kennel Club also opposes the use of electric shock collars and they have been banned in Wales as they increase stress in dogs and have a negative impact on their welfare.
Most high street type shops no longer stock the collars due to public reaction but they are available online.
Mr Stewart said: “There is concern about whether owners are using higher settings than the manufactures suggest for the dog and sadly there is just no way to ensure that these collars are not being used excessively on dogs.
“It would be wrong for the government to take any stance apart from banning these shock collars as we should be clearly stating that these are unacceptable.
“The issuing of government guidelines would only legitimise the use of shock collars – we must be going much further than that and ban the use and sale within Scotland.”