A DOG charity has teamed up with one of Swindon’s MPs to call for a ban on the sale of electric shock collars.

Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, on Tuesday launched its #ShockinglyLegal campaign to help urge the government to ban the sale of electronic shock collars.

Justin Tomlinson, MP for North Swindon, attended a drop in event at the House of Commons to pledge his support to help ban the use and sale of these aversive training devices.

Justin said: “I’m delighted to pledge my support to Dogs Trust. These training methods are outdated and cruel, and there is no need for them to be used when there are so many positive training methods available.

“This is a hugely important issue for dog welfare and I hope my support will help make a difference. ”

A recent poll revealed around a third of us wrongly believe shock collars are already illegal. Yet despite public opinion, buying and using one of these painful devices to correct a dog’s behaviour, is still lawful in England.

The devices can send between 100 to 6000 Volts to a dog’s neck, and have the capacity to shock a dog for up to 11 seconds at a time.

Research shows that physical effects can include yelping, squealing, crouching, and physiological signs of distress in direct response to an electric shock.

Rachel Casey, director of canine behaviour and research at Dogs Trust, said: “We are appalled that it is still legal to buy and use electronic shock collars in England. It is both unnecessary and cruel to resort to the use of these collars on dogs.”