01/23/2025
Get with it, Canada!
IN WHICH COUNTRIES ARE PRONG (AKA PINCH) COLLARS ILLEGAL?
Following is a comprehensive list of countries where prong collars (also known as pinch collars) are either banned or highly regulated, along with relevant references:
1. Germany
Ban: Prong collars are banned in Germany under the Animal Protection Act (Tierschutzgesetz). The law prohibits the use of tools that cause unnecessary pain or suffering to animals.
Reference: Animal Protection Act (Tierschutzgesetz)
2. Denmark
Ban: Prong collars are banned in Denmark under the Danish Animal Welfare Act (Dyreværnsloven), which restricts harmful devices for training animals.
Reference: Danish Animal Welfare Act (Dyreværnsloven)
3. Sweden
Ban: Sweden prohibits the use of prong collars through the Swedish Animal Welfare Act (Djurskyddslag), which restricts the use of aversive training tools.
Reference: Swedish Animal Welfare Act (Djurskyddslag)
4. Austria
Ban: In Austria, prong collars are prohibited under the Animal Protection Act (Tierschutzgesetz), which forbids the use of harmful devices for training.
Reference: Austrian Animal Protection Act (Tierschutzgesetz)
5. Switzerland
Ban: Prong collars are banned under the Swiss Federal Act on the Protection of Animals, which prohibits the use of devices that cause pain or distress to animals.
Reference: Swiss Federal Act on the Protection of Animals
6. Norway
Ban: Norway has restrictions on the use of prong collars under the Norwegian Animal Welfare Act, which aims to prevent animal cruelty and unnecessary suffering.
Reference: Norwegian Animal Welfare Act
7. Finland
Ban: Finland bans the use of prong collars as part of its Animal Welfare Act, with guidelines that discourage the use of harmful training tools.
Reference: Finnish Animal Welfare Act
8. United Kingdom
Partial Ban: In the UK, prong collars are not banned nationwide but their use is restricted under the Animal Welfare (Sentencing and Recognition of Sentience) Bill and the Pet Animals Act, which can be interpreted to include prong collars in the category of harmful equipment. Some local authorities impose fines for their use, and there’s a strong public consensus against them.
Reference: UK Animal Welfare Act 2006
9. Netherlands
Ban: Prong collars are banned in the Netherlands under the Dutch Animal Welfare Act, which prohibits any tools that cause physical harm or psychological distress to animals.
Reference: Dutch Animal Welfare Act
10. New Zealand
Ban: Prong collars are prohibited in New Zealand under the Animal Welfare Act, as part of broader legislation against devices that cause pain or suffering to animals.
Reference: New Zealand Animal Welfare Act 1999
11. Australia (Some States and Territories)
Ban: While not a nationwide ban, some Australian states and territories have implemented legislation that bans prong collars, including in Victoria and South Australia. The Australian Capital Territory has also enforced restrictions on their use.
Reference: Australian Animal Welfare Standards
12. Luxembourg
Ban: Luxembourg prohibits the use of prong collars under the Animal Welfare Law, which aligns with European Union animal protection directives.
Reference: Luxembourg Animal Welfare Law
13. Finland
Ban: Finland enforces a ban on prong collars under its Animal Welfare Act to ensure animal welfare and promote humane training practices.
Reference: Finnish Animal Welfare Act
14. Belgium
Ban: Belgium also prohibits prong collars under its Animal Welfare Act, part of the country's broader effort to protect animals from harmful practices.
Reference: Belgian Animal Welfare Act
15. New Zealand
In New Zealand, prong collars are illegal. The Animal Welfare Act 1999 prohibits the use of devices that cause pain or suffering to animals, and prong collars are considered aversive tools that can cause harm.
Reference: Animal Welfare Act 1999 clearly outlines regulations for the welfare of animals, and the use of prong collars would fall under the category of prohibited devices that cause harm.
16. Portugal: No specific ban, but laws align with EU standards discouraging harmful devices.
17. South Africa: Prong collars are not explicitly banned, but could fall under cruelty laws depending on usage.
18. Quebec: Legal, but highly controversial and subject to evolving regulations.
19. Italy: Prong collars are not explicitly banned, but discouraged under EU regulations.
Summary:
These bans typically stem from the belief that prong collars can cause pain, fear, and distress to dogs, and that there are more humane, positive methods for training pets. Many of these countries favor training methods that rely on reward-based systems rather than punitive equipment.
If you live in one of these countries and have any updates to the information above, please reply in the comments below.
Thank you,
Cindy Ludwig, M.A., B.S., R.N., KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA
Owner, Canine Connection LLC
Willard, Missouri
