Ethical Review Questions Justification of Electric Shock Devices on U.S. Farms
A welfare and ethics review has concluded that most electric shock devices used on U.S. farms are difficult to justify due to the pain they inflict on animals. The review examined various devices, including electric fencing, cow trainers, electric prods, electrified barn wires, electrified milking gates, robotic milkers with 'ticklers,' and virtual fencing collars. The authors argue that deliberately hurting animals requires strong justification, specifically that the device must provide clear welfare benefits that cannot be achieved by other practical means. Based on this criterion, cow trainers, electric prods, and electrified barn wires and milking gates are deemed unlikely to be justifiable. Electric fencing may be justifiable in some situations with careful management, while robotic milker ticklers and virtual fencing collars require further welfare assessment.
