RSPCA Policy C07 Training, behaviour modification and invasive procedures

Training

Training methods for animals used in sport, entertainment, performance, recreation or work must not cause injury, pain, suffering, or distress to the animal (e.g. aversive methods such as physical punishment).

Training methods should be based on techniques using natural instincts and positive reinforcement.

Devices to modify behaviour or performance

Any device or equipment used to modify the behaviour of animals in sport, entertainment, performance, recreation and work or associated training must not cause injury, pain, suffering, or distress to the animal.

Electric shock devices

The RSPCA opposes the use of any devices which deliver electric shocks for the purpose of modifying an animal’s behaviour or performance in sport, entertainment, performance, recreation or work. Such devices are inhumane as they inflict pain, involve punishment, and can be used to abuse animals.

Devices to prevent stereotypic behaviours

The RSPCA opposes the use of aversive devices or equipment designed to prevent stereotypical behaviours in animals (e.g. wind sucking and crib biting in horses). Management of stereotypical behaviours in any species should aim to address the underlying cause of the behaviour rather than the symptoms.

Performance enhancing drugs and procedures

The RSPCA opposes the use of drugs and/or surgical procedures which are administered with a view to enhance the performance of an animal, mask pain, or enable an injured animal to compete.

Invasive husbandry procedures

The RSPCA opposes any invasive or surgical husbandry procedure carried out on an animal for cosmetic, non-therapeutic purposes or unless it can be justified to reduce health and welfare risks to the individual animal and/or prevent unintended reproduction (e.g. sterilisation).

Where invasive animal husbandry procedures are used to overcome the effects of selective breeding (which produces physical and/or behavioural changes detrimental to the animals’ health or welfare), breeding practices should be changed to prevent this.

If an invasive procedure is to be performed, it must be performed by a veterinarian and be accompanied by appropriate analgesia and anaesthesia.

Caslick’s procedure

The RSPCA is opposed to the use of Caslick’s procedure in horses and encourages the use of responsible breeding practices to address vulval conformation problems.

Firing

The RSPCA opposes the use of firing to treat tendon injuries in horses as this procedure is associated with considerable pain and tissue damage, and other more appropriate treatment options are available.