Originally Posted by Jenny Olley

I have noticed in the debates about e-collars, people have voiced the opinion they should never be used, as they are a quick fix and there is always a better way, just wondered what you would do with the following.

A large male ex-racing greyhound was adopted from a rescue centre, he had been in there over a year.

All went well for the first few days, the couple were used to greyhound he was the third they had adopted, they walked him on a halti to stop his pulling, on the fourth day they had him he grabbed a cat from under a hedge and killed it.

An electric collar was used in one session to stop him killing again.

As anyone who has ever owned or seen a dog with prey drive this strong, a bag of treats would never have stopped him killing another cat, or a small dog for that matter. The reward chemistry in the brain on the grab and kill bite far exceeds any food reward.

they could have returned him to the rescue centre, I'm sure after a year or two someone else would come along and choose him again.

They could have muzzled him at all times, out on a walk, and in the garden, and the house in summer when the patio doors were open, that would have been nice for him, for the rest of his life.

They could have erected an eight foot fence all round their garden, (he could have scaled a six foot), however the odd cat could still have come in.

I've run out of ideas now, in my opinion they chose the right option, he is still with them four years later and has a happy life.

It was a quick fix for both new owners and dog, and the dog has a happy life from that day forward.

My understanding of the modern day e-collar is it does not earth, unlike the ones previously on sale, which I am sure are still being used by some people.