Training tools and legislative process

I’ve spent the last couple of weeks immersed in legislation and submission writing. It’s my excuse for not catching up with admin, as it draws immense thinking power and is brain-mush-making.

So why? And what?

On Sunday 8th May the QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk MP posted on Facebook that a ban on prong collars was imminent. From there, it came to light that a review of the Animal Care and Protection Act (QLD’s equivalent of POCTAA) was initiated in April 2021 with a discussion paper, survey questions & invitation for written submissions.

The items up for review in the discussion paper / survey did not include anything about prong collars.

The Consultation Outcomes Report published in October 2021 provided the outcomes of the survey and additional discussion points from written submissions, and did not include anything about prong collars… until the second-last section where it was indicated that e-petitions before parliament would also be considered. 6 petitions were listed, 3 of which related to items already open for review, and 3 relating to training tools (prong collars, e-collars referred to as shock collars, and choke collars) – apparently included for review for the first time in the process.

This is where I confess I use prong collars, where a case may deem it necessary. I don’t put them on every dog. Where a case warrants it, I try it, I educate dog and owner how to use it. And I have on occasion agreed it was not the tool for the dog and gone a different way. I call my training flexible and appropriate for the dog / owner team in front of me.

Yep, they look like awful medieval torture devices. When I first saw one I recoiled, and wanted to know why anyone would think it was appropriate to put one on a dog. I went and sought answers, and found out the thoughtful use of a prong collar on the right dog can be nothing short of miraculous. I learned, I trained, and I refined my skills. Yes, I’ve worn one myself, and been “corrected” on it. That doesn’t necessarily prove anything as to how a dog perceives it, but I figure if I’m going to use a tool on a dog I should see how it feels to me.

BUT ANYWAY, THIS IS NOT ABOUT PRONG COLLARS

When the draft amendment Bill was published it was found to include provisions to allow prohibition or regulation of other restraint devices without being going through a consultation process. A restraint device is “a device fitted to an animal for the purpose of restraining it”, such as “collars, leads, harnesses, muzzles, halters”, and can be added to Regulation at any time (if this clause is enacted).

From Clause 14, Division 5 Possession or use of prohibited devices

This has the potential to effect anyone, at any time, and appears to be in direct conflict with leash laws, as well as muzzle requirements for regulated dogs and retired greyhounds.

So if it’s in QLD why do I care?

With restraint devices not under consideration in the original review discussion paper, it appears this amendment has been made without appropriate community or industry stakeholder consultation. A prohibition law that can be amended on a whim and has the potential to impact hundreds of thousands of dog owners in QLD, has been drafted based on the subjective, emotive opinion of an individual petitioner and their signatories.

This sets a dangerous precedent. We need due process. We need procedural fairness. We need to know why this legislation is being considered, what are the expected welfare outcomes, what evidence is there to prove these outcomes are likely, what evidence exists that the claims made in the petitions are valid.

My heart goes out to anyone in QLD currently using a prong collar. If this law is enacted, those owners will be faced with the impossible decision: do I continue to use a prohibited device to safely exercise my dog and face prosecution for animal cruelty, or do I surrender or euthanise my beloved dog?

TAKE ACTION

Whether you like prong collars or not, this legislation could impact you.

FIRST anyone in any state of Australia or country from around the world can make a submission to the State Development and Regional Industries Committee, here:
https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-Committees/Committees/Committee-Details?cid=0&id=4163

There are 2 days left to do so, submissions close Wednesday 1st June at 12:00pm (midday). It can be as basic as free typing text in the submissions form, OR you can go all out and use a template developed by Kirsty and Brittany – email them on dogtrainingqld@gmail.com for a copy.

Kristy and Brittany also created a YouTube video to assist with making submissions, here:

SIGN THE PETITION to show the QLD Government due process should be followed, here:
https://www.change.org/beheardnow

THEN, if you are a resident of QLD, please write to your local MP or Senator. They need to know that this issue is important to their constituents. This can influence how they vote on the recommendations out of the Committee.