Australia’s top dog trainer Steve Courtney says prong collar ban will result in more people dying

Nine people have been mauled to death from dog attacks since 2018 and the country’s top dog trainer warns that will increase if pronged dog collars are banned.

Nine people have been mauled to death from dog attacks since 2018 and the country’s top dog trainer, Steve Courtney, warns that will increase if pronged dog collars are banned.

The country’s top dog trainer claims more people and more pets will die under new Queensland animal protection laws.

The state plans to fine dog owners up to $13,000 if they use pronged collars on their pets.

Professional Dog Trainers of Australia president Steve Courtney said banning the collars would result in more dogs being put down and an increase in humans killed in vicious attacks.

He said the prong collar penalty clause was only added to the draft legislation two weeks ago, after the Bill was drawn up last year.

Under the Bill, someone found with a prong collar can be fined $4135, and that triples for someone using the collar who would face a whopping $13,785 fine.

Nine people have been killed in dog attacks in Australia since 2018 with two in Queensland including two-year-old Talan Peters, who was mauled to death by his family’s dog at his Mena Creek home in January.

Amanda Carmichael, 41, died in June last year after pit bull cross dogs she was minding attacked her in a Maryborough backyard.

Nine people have died from vicious dog attacks since 2018 including, from top little Talan Peters; Amanda Carmichael and 91-year-old Sally Holland. The country's top dog trainer says more people could die if prong collars are banned.

Mr Courtney said the collars “looked horrendous” but were widely accepted as effective and humane training tools when used correctly on dogs with behavioural issues.

“Police, correctional service and military working dog units around the world and in Australia use prong collars,” he said.

“Not one expert trainer experienced in the use of prong collars was consulted in proposing this ban.

“There is not one case where a person has been prosecuted for being cruel with a prong collar and these devices have enabled hundreds of trainers across Australia to rehabilitate dogs which would otherwise be put to death.

“The collars do not hurt the animal but will grab their skin in a bid to get the dog to refocus and stop unacceptable behaviour immediately. They are highly effective.”

Above and Beyond Dog Training owner Cathy Grant said the prong collar did not harm animals and helped her dog Scooby to stop chasing livestock and donkeys.

Logan and Ipswich dog trainer Catherine Grant, who runs Above and Beyond Dog Training, said trainers should be exempt from the proposed law, expected to be back before parliament next week.

“I have had a client come to me after their beloved dog lunged at a baby in a pram and the owner believed she would have to surrender her dog to the RSPCA, and it would be put down,” Ms Grant said.

“The prong collar retrained the dog in six months and saved the dog from being put down.

“It is a temporary tool that can also be used safely when the dog goes into public places.

“Citronella collars which squirt poison into a dog’s face or electric shock collars are a lot more painful for the dog.”

Ms Grant rescued her own dog Scooby from a life of misery on a farm where he had broken his leg and was unable to work.

Scooby was left chained in the farmyard and constantly tried to run down livestock, until he was retrained using the prong collar.

Dog owner Ange Rogers said the prong collar ‘looked like something out of Game of Thrones’ but helped her six-year-old boxer Grohl to behave and not be aggressive when in public.

Agriculture Minister Mark Furner dismissed claims there had not been wide consultation saying there were 2353 public responses to a government discussion paper along with input from the RSPCA.

“Extensive consultation as part of the review of the Animal Care and Protection Act showed us that Queenslanders wanted action taken against prong collars and the proposed legislation reflects that,” Mr Furner said.

“Queenslanders can still have their say through the Parliamentary Committee process.”

RSPCA Australia has backed the ban, saying prong collars posed potential risk of injury, pain and suffering and other more humane training methods were available.

A dog wearing a prong collar.

Animal Justice Party’s Emma Hurst said the legislation should go further than just banning the prong collar, which she labelled as a cruel training device.

“They are designed to tighten around a dog’s neck whenever pressure is applied, causing significant pain and injury,” Ms Hurst said.

“They are illegal to import and are strongly opposed by the RSPCA, yet they are currently legal to use and sell in Queensland.

“They should be outlawed across the country as animals can be trained using positive reinforcement and there is no excuse to use fear and pain as training strategies.”

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Originally published as Australia’s top dog trainer Steve Courtney says prong collar ban will result in more people dying