Supermarkets removed electric shock dog collars from shelves in the UAE after an outcry from pet owners that the training tools were cruel.
The Dh1,800 Dogtra Fieldmaster training collar was one of several similar items taken off the market after angry dog lovers claimed they encouraged animals to be aggressive.
Cheaper alternatives, such as the Dh535 Petsafe Smart dog trainer, were also removed from Carrefour’s online store on Wednesday.
It is the same as progressing towards a kick with a steel-toe capped boot
Although manufacturers say the devices deliver a harmless "light tingling sensation" that is surprising rather than painful, the products were criticised by experts as being an outdated method of encouraging certain dog behaviours.
“We have reviewed the listing of the product and found that it was from a third party supplier on our marketplace portal,” a Carrefour spokesman said.
“We would like to reiterate such products are not being sold in Carrefour stores."
The retailer's marketplace listing policy is in compliance with local and international laws, which do not prohibit the sale of such items, the spokesman said.
“But since this was flagged by our community, it was taken down.
“We are currently taking actions to review our listings policies and update our directory to restrict any future listing of such items.”
Carrefour said it welcomed customer feedback about its services and products.
Mena Lopes, a full-time dog trainer at Paw Pals in Dubai, said the use of collars could make dogs become more aggressive.
“The collars should not be used at all,” she said.
“There are so many other more proven and effective ways to train your dog.
“It is the same as previous generations getting beaten with rulers in school as a punishment, it is just not acceptable any more.
"We know better now, and it is the same with dog training. These kind of shock collars can do long-term damage, emotional and behavioural."
Users activate the collars to get their dogs to stop barking when they see another dog, or to encourage them to sit or not jump up.
Behavioural experts said if an animal associates that experience with something painful, like an electric shock, it often leads to worse behaviour farther down the line.
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Several social media users complained to Carrefour on Twitter, prompting a decision to remove the devices from a third-party seller via its online marketplace.
“Dogs can give us early signs if they are afraid, or nervous and barking can be one of those indicators,” said Ms Lopes, who is Portuguese.
“If we give them an electric shock at this time, it only encourages an aggressive response.
"It is the silent aggressive behaviour that is an issue, when they don't give any indication there is a problem. That leads to dogs biting without warning and can be dangerous."
While the industry is regulated in Europe by the Electronic Collar Manufacturers Association, some countries banned the devices altogether.
Shock collars are prohibited in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia and Germany.
Some territories of Australia, including New South Wales and Southern Australia, also banned the devices, but there they are occasionally used by professional pest controllers to stop dogs being bitten by highly venomous snakes.
“This is a very old-fashioned training technique, as the pain response is associated with negative behaviour,” said Dr Sara Elliott, founder and director of veterinary services at British Veterinary Hospital in Dubai, who would like to see the devices outlawed in the UAE.
“These products are promoted as pain-free, but it still stimulates an anxious response from the animal. There is nothing ethical about this in any way.
“It does not solve any issues. Because the strength of the shock can be increased, it will eventually become painful.
“It is the same as progressing towards a kick with a steel toe-capped boot and nothing can condone that sort of behaviour.
“These devices should be taken off the UAE market by law.”
Dr Margit Muller, executive director of the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, said a dog should be able to establish a bond with its owner, and that would not happen if it is poorly treated.
“A dog has to learn to follow your command, but these collars destroy the confidence of the dog,” she said.
“It is emotional and physical abuse. The dog must trust you and that will only happen when it is rewarded during the learning process.
“The training never stops, it is lifelong. It takes a long time to develop a bond, these collars only make the animals live in a permanent state of fear.”
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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F1 2020 calendar
March 15 - Australia, Melbourne; March 22 - Bahrain, Sakhir; April 5 - Vietnam, Hanoi; April 19 - China, Shanghai; May 3 - Netherlands, Zandvoort; May 20 - Spain, Barcelona; May 24 - Monaco, Monaco; June 7 - Azerbaijan, Baku; June 14 - Canada, Montreal; June 28 - France, Le Castellet; July 5 - Austria, Spielberg; July 19 - Great Britain, Silverstone; August 2 - Hungary, Budapest; August 30 - Belgium, Spa; September 6 - Italy, Monza; September 20 - Singapore, Singapore; September 27 - Russia, Sochi; October 11 - Japan, Suzuka; October 25 - United States, Austin; November 1 - Mexico City, Mexico City; November 15 - Brazil, Sao Paulo; November 29 - Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
SPECS
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Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
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On sale: Available to order now
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
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WandaVision
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany
Directed by: Matt Shakman
Rating: Four stars
If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
