We can TELL people how cruel shock collars can be,
but SEEING is believing.

Shock promoters continue to sell shock collars to anyone, for any reason. Many in the shock collar industry make ridiculous claims including 'electric shocks don't hurt,' 'shock collars are completely humane and safe' and 'shocking animals doesn't cause any physical, psychological or emotional harm'. It should be noted, aggression in animals and sudden changes in temperament are often signs of pain. Collateral damage can occur as a result of pain-induced aggression from the use of electric shocks.

Collar Damage

Shock promoters market these products to the naive, frustrated and the compassionately challenged pet owner looking for a quick easy fix. As with many seeking economic gain, it is greed that drives these people to tell untruths. Routinely, shock pushers engage in semantics when claiming their products aren't capable of 'burning' a dogs skin, but if used improperly, simply cause inconsequential 'friction sores'. Medically, burns are defined as 'injury to tissue caused by contact with heat, flame, chemicals, electricity or radiation'. Burns result in redness, swelling, open sores, necrosis, lesions, pain and depending on the depth and severity of the wound, infection, fever and shock. Name the injuries what you like, burns or not, they are nasty traumatic injuries often causing the inflicted animal intense suffering.

To each of us, our good health is imperative for a good life. For anyone to recklessly cause injury to any body, mind or soul is deplorable.


CAN SHOCK-COLLARS BURN?

By Jan Casey, MS, Dip CBST

First published in Barks from The Guild, the official publication of The Pet Professional Guild, The Association for Force Free Pet Professionals

Professional dog trainers can be a contentious lot. Our methods fall on a continuum; from positive with no use of corrections to painful and physically damaging. We argue as to whose methods are most effective or quickest at achieving results or most psychologically sound for the dog. I suggest there is no topic more divisive nor more hotly debated than the shock collar, often referred to as an e-collar or remote collar.

The arguments both pro and con regarding shock collars are endless. The latest battle in the war revolves around the claim that shock collars cannot cause a burn to the animal wearing it. "Shock collars are not capable of causing burns because there simply isn't the voltage required to generate the joules necessary for combustion." It's a pretty grandiose statement involving technical terms from which many of us will shy away.

Those of us who question that claim do so because of anecdotal evidence to the contrary from a variety of sources. Full article here


  • Collar Damage
    A canine victim of a shock collar with bad burns all over it's throat, along with the collar itself.
    Photo credit & text: www.animal-rights-action.com
  • Collar Damage
    Picture is of a NC lost dog found by caring person who removed the shock collar and found this damage.
    Photo credit & text: NC Shelter Rescue Inc.
  • Collar Damage
    A dog burnt by shock collar. Urban Dog Training
    Photo credit & text: www.animal-rights-action.com
  • Collar Damage
    Another dog injured by a shock collar.
    Photo credit & text: www.animal-rights-action.com
  • Collar Damage
    Shock collar damage.
    Photo credit & text: www.animal-rights-action.com
  • Collar Damage
    Invisible Fence collar burns - photo shared by a DITR student who is a vet tech in Spokane. Electronic devices malfunction - this dog was probably suffering for days before his owners noticed.
    Photo credit & text: www.diamond in the ruff.com
  • Collar Damage
    Results of using a Shock Collar.
    Photo credit & text: Law and Order 4 K9s
  • Collar Damage
    Damage from a prong collar.
    Photo credit & text: Austin Dog Zone
  • Collar Damage
    Prong Collar Injuries.
    Photo credit & text: Raise Awareness Across the Globe
  • Collar Damage
    Puncture wound from shock collar put on without permission at Boarding Kennel.
    Photo credit & text: Boarding Your Dog in Tualatin website
  • Collar Damage
    Puncture wound from shock collar put on without permission at Boarding Kennel.
    Photo credit & text: Boarding Your Dog in Tualatin website
  • Collar Damage
  • Collar Damage
    Choke Chain Damage.
    Photo credit & text: Ban the use of Prong Collars, Shock Collars & Choke chains
  • Collar Damage
    Damage from Invisible fence collar with extra long prongs. Damage not found for days.
    Photo credit & text: Helping Animals.com/ Trainers Academy LLC
  • Collar Damage
    Here is another dog badly hurt by an electric shock collar. The owner's claim the manufacturer wasn't surprised about the damage because the collar was left on the dog "too long".
    Photo credit & text: CBC News.
  • Collar Damage
    Neck Burns from shock collar
    Photo credit & text: www.teaxasvetbehavior.com
  • Collar Damage
    'Damage from a so-called high quality anti-bark collar'
  • Collar Damage
    Shock collar injury done at a school that trains dog trainers
  • Collar Damage
    Shock collar injury found by a Groomer. Owners were not aware of the wound.
    Photo credit: In The Doghouse DTC
  • Collar Damage
    Dog abandoned outside animal shelter with a chain collar embedded in her neck.
    Photo credit: Pinal County Animal Care & Control
  • Collar Damage
    Injury caused by a shock collar introduced at a training school.
    Photo credit: Reisner Veterinary Behavior & Consulting Services
  • Collar Damage
    Injury done by an invisible shock fence.
    Photo credit: Reward That Puppy Training, Ada Simms CPDT-KA
  • Collar Damage
    Pyrenees Rescued by Carolina Great Pyrenees Rescue. Severe burns from a shock collar found under his fur.
    Photo credit: Carolina Great Pyrenees Rescue
  • Collar Damage
    One year old Golden Retriever brought in to Fido's Market for grooming. The groomer found two open gashes in the neck and several additional wounds in various states of healing. The dog apparently wears an electronic shock collar every day.
    Photo credit: Fido's Market
  • Collar Damage
    Another boarding facility severely burns dog with shock collar.
    Picture credit: WPLG Local 10.com Miami Florida
  • Collar Damage
    The awful consequences of an electronic shock collar. This dog was shocked only using the "tickle" function
    Photo Credit: Veterinary Behavior Solutions
  • Collar Damage
    "Burned two holes in my dog's neck"
    Source: Customer complaining on Amazon after purchasing a brand name shock collar.
  • Collar Damage
    Damage to poodle after wearing a brand name shock collar for two weeks. Vet said the dog was in a lot of pain. The inflammation & infection were treated.
    Credit: Poodle Forum.com
  • Collar Damage
    Border Collie equipped with an anti-bark collar at a boarding kennel.
    Credit: Rise VanFleet AVSAB
  • Collar Damage
    Dog received by Windsor /Essex County Humane Society with prong collar damage.
    Photo credit: Windsor/Essex County Humane Society
  • Collar Damage
    Owner states, popular brand of Shock Collar shorted out and burnt holes in dog’s neck.
  • Collar Damage
    Ontario pet owner’s photo of the marks left on her dog by the contact points of a shock collar.
  • Collar Damage
    Shock collar brand that is considered ‘top of the line’ did this damage to an eight year old Beagle.
  • Collar Damage
    Colt injured by a dog while the owner continued to shock the dog at the highest level, to no avail.
    Photo Credit: WVIR-TV
  • Collar Damage
    Photo credit: vettails.com
    THIS INJURY IS REPORTED TO HAVE OCCURRED AFTER A CHILD WAS ALLOWED TO PLAY WITH THE REMOTE OF AN ELECTRIC COLLAR.
  • Badly Injured Beagle
    Credit Photo: Putnam County SPCA. Beagle found running loose wearing bark collar. Damage discovered when collar was removed.
  • Collar Damage
    CREDIT: RSPCA QUEENSLAND: Coco the dog was handed in to a Gold Coast vet with an electric shock collar embedded into her neck
  • Damage caused by a bark collar.
    Damage caused by a bark collar. "The owner was unaware that this was possible and wished to share so others could learn from this experience.” Photo Credit: South Shore Veterinary Clinic.
  • Damage caused by a bark collar.
    The damage here was made with prong collar. Although jerking on a prong collar can leave holes that lead to infection, in this case, the damage was caused by a prong collar that was left on long enough to be embedded in the dogs neck. A vet surgically removed the collar.
  • Damage caused by a bark collar.
    Golden Retriever pup injured at board and train facility with shock and prong collar.
    Image credit: Chained Dog Awareness Singapore on F/B

If you have material to add to this page please email us at info@banshockcollars.ca


Together we can protect the most vulnerable among us by banning outright the sale and use of shock collars on all animals throughout the world. Please sign the on-line Global Petition

If you witness animal abuse with or without the use of a shock device, please do not delay in calling the police or an animal organization in your area. If by reporting the abuse you feel your safety is at risk tell the authorities you wish to remain anonymous