Cunninghame North MSP Kenneth Gibson got a first-hand taste of a dog shock collar – and has called for a ban on the “cruel” devices.

The SNP MSP met with staff from The Kennel Club and Scottish SPCA at an event in Holyrood to learn more about how they are used to train dogs.

Mr Gibson has called for an immediate ban on the devices, and admits his feelings are even stronger after trying out the collar for himself.

He said: “Electronic collars deliver a shock to a dog’s neck via a remote control, up to a radius of two miles.

“This means a dog not within sight of its owner can still receive it – and for up to 11 seconds at a time.

“Having received a collar shock to see what it was like, it made me jump - and I was expecting it!

“How much worse must it be for an unsuspecting animal?

“The Kennel Club has long campaigned for a ban on these devices in Scotland, alongside the Scottish SPCA and Dogs Trust.

“Wide-ranging evidence has demonstrated the detrimental effect on dog welfare, and that positive reinforcement is much more effective in training dogs.

“Shock collars are banned in France and Wales, and it’s time Scotland followed suit.”

Details about The Kennel Club’s campaign to ban electric shock collars are available at www.thekennelclub.org.uk/BanShockCollars.