The Queensland government has announced a ban on pronged collars designed to hurt dogs as a type of behavioral “punishment.”
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Sunday that the state government will propose legislation in parliament to prohibit the usage of pronged dog collars.
The premier claims that the law would become part of a bill to strengthen animal welfare laws.
“We know the majority of Queenslanders support tougher penalties and regulations against cruelty to animals,” she said in a Facebook post.
“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.”
After receiving thousands of community responses during a review of animal cruelty laws over the last two years, the state government has decided to ban pronged collars.
More than 600 people have signed a petition to parliament accusing the collars of making dogs “distressed, anxious, and aggressive.”
“Injuries from collars range from skin irritation and neck punctures to crushed and collapsed tracheas, spinal cord and back problems,” the petition read.
“Research shows that pronged collars suppress behaviour but does not change behaviour, and leads to emotional and behavioural issues.”