Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of progress of her Department’s research project on electric pet training devices; and (a) how, (b) where and (c) through whom the dogs used in the study have been sourced. [6769]

Mr Paice: We have been monitoring progress of the research project on electronic training devices closely. This includes meeting with all of the contractors involved with the project and regular contact via email and telephone. The project was also assessed by animal welfare experts as part of the review of all DEFRA-funded animal welfare Research and Development held in March 2010.

The dogs used in the research project have been sourced from a number of locations, organisations and individuals e.g. through a survey of dog owners; via experienced dog trainers; through kennels for staff pets at a university; and through a dog training class at an agricultural college.