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Electronic Collar Use in Victoria

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2008 set out when and how electronic collars can be used on animals in Victoria.

Electronic collars are defined in the regulations as an animal collar that is designed to be capable of imparting an electric shock to an animal. This does not include citronealla type collars.

Electronic collars can only be used on dogs and cats, they cannot be used on any other species.

Only authorised collars can be used on cats and dogs.

Authorised electronic collars are split into two categories:

  • containment systems - can be used on dogs and cats
  • remote training and anti-bark type collars - can be used on dogs only
The regulations also set out a number of conditions for authorised collars and their use as well as requirements for sellers and hirers of these collars.

These legislative requirements are explained in three information sheets which can be viewed via the links below.

These information sheets have been developed for use by sellers and hirers of authorised electronic collars to provide to those purchasing or hiring these collars to enable them to meet their requirements for notification under regulation 24(4). Regulation 24(4) requires that purchasers are informed in writing of the legal requirements of use of these collars in Victoria.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Regulations can result in either an infringement notice or prosecution in a court of law with a maximum penalty of 10 penalty units (approximately $1163*).
(*based on 09/10 penalty unit value of 116.82, note penalty unit value is indexed and changes annually)