It’s a short bill, but it could make a huge difference. The bill states, that if a dog hurts a person or another dog by breaking skin and a complaint is filed, the family would be required to work with a veterinarian, behaviorist, or trainer to create a safety and behavior plan using humane, ACVB and AVSAB evidence-based methods. The use of shock, prong, or choke collars is prohibited. 

Here’s the key part of the bill: 

“…(vii) that the owner or keeper of the dog consults with a veterinarian, behaviorist, or trainer to develop a public safety and behavior modification plan that exclusively employs evidence-based training techniques that do not result in pain, discomfort, fear or anxiety; provided that electric, prong or choke collars shall not be used as part of this modification plan; further all professionals involved in said modification plan shall be educated in and employ methods that adhere to the principles of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior and the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists…” 

Read the bill, see the updates, download a pdf and see the names of important supporters on the committee (it has already passed favorably to the House Ways and Means Committee) here: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2342 

Why This Matters

We need leaders and influencers in the +R community to fight for this. This bill works to solve the underlying emotional and behavioral problem rather than the quick superficial “fix”. This bill will help ensure that dogs are given the opportunity to learn coping skills, and make homes safer.

What Opponents Are Saying 

The powerful shock collar lobby is already fighting it.

Here is the IACP Playbook, available publicly, illustrating the extent of their organizing methods for any dog welfare legislation we’ve tried to pass that I’ve followed, including the proposed ban on shock in the UK.

Typically, the IACP, NAODI, ARDO, CCPDT, AKC and PetSafe work together toward the same end, sending out mass emails to all representatives involved, making personal visits to their government offices, engaging their influencers to go viral to oppose any restrictions on “tools” and convincing lawmakers that “shock saves lives.” 
 
They’re arguing, as they have with all dog welfare legislation that restricts or bans shock and aversive devices: 

• “This bill takes away important tools.” 
• “Dogs will be surrendered or euthanized without prongs or e-collars.” 
• “Shock collars are just a harmless tap.” 
• “The problem is misuse, not the tool.” 
• “Fear and anxiety are too vague to define.” 
• “Police and military use them, so families should too.” 

The Truth 

• This bill sets a safety baseline for the dog and the pet parent.
• We can expect some pushback on labeling dogs who break skin as “dangerous dogs.”
• There’s no evidence that banning shock or prongs increases shelter euthanasia.
• Humane methods actually keep more dogs in homes. 
• A quick low-level demo on a person’s hand isn’t the same as repeated shocks on a dog’s throat, abdomen or genitals. 
• The tools themselves are designed to harm
• Science provides clear, measurable definitions for fear, anxiety, and pain. 
• Police and military dog programs aren’t a model for family pets. 

How You Can Help 

Here’s how you can help us to set a precedent at long last for dog-friendly dog welfare law:

• Organize and add your voice in support of H.2342 by creating Position Statements in support and making them widely available online as well as on your websites. 
• Send out mass emails to your clients and contacts, engaging followers to act, particularly anyone living in Massachusetts, but typically hearings allow anyone from anywhere to testify.
• **We have provided a template that you can use to send your own letter and share with others to send—see below. **
• Reach out to House Presenter Mark D. Sylvia, Democrat – 10^th Bristol: https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/MDS1

24 Beacon St
Boston, MA, 02133
Phone: 617.722.2400

• Engage an extant Legislative Committee… or start your own
• Share your support with other House members: https://malegislature.gov/Legislators

This is a chance for Massachusetts to lead the way. If H.2342 passes, it sets the stage and a precedent for other states and even other countries to move away from painful devices and toward humane, science-based solutions. 

Thank you again for caring enough to read this and for all the work you already do for dogs and families, and for taking action to make our decades of hard work on behalf of the dogs result in help for these troubled dogs.