AN MP is backing a national campaign to ban electric-shock dog collars in England.

Grahame Morris, Labour MP for Easington, showed his support for the ban on Twitter, calling the collars “torturous devices”.

Recently banned in Scotland and Wales, the collars send between 100 and 6,000 volts to a dog’s neck and are often used for correcting behaviour.

However, the Dog’s Trust has said the collars are ineffective as a training method and do more harm than good, causing the dog severe pain and physiological distress as it cannot understand why it is being shocked.

Dr Rachel Casey, Director of Canine Behaviour and Research at Dogs Trust, said: “Positive based methods, such as using rewards like food, are the most effective and kindest way to train your dog, so there is absolutely no need for owners to even consider the use of these devices.”

Mr Morris said the ban in Scotland and Wales showed “the ability of devolved governments to lead on animal welfare issues”.

Wanting England to follow suit, he has signed the Dog’s Trust’s letter to Secretary of State Michael Gove asking to back the ban.

He said: “There is no proper justification for the continued use of shock collars, which are both ineffective and cruel. It is time for a ban and I hope the government will not just listen to concerns from across the parties, but act on them.”