BANS on electric shock collars for pets and trail hunting have been proposed in the government’s flagship animal welfare strategy.

Tightened protections aimed at preventing cruel breeding practices are part of the series of proposals published today.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds claimed the government is “delivering the most ambitious animal welfare strategy in a generation.”

RSPCA director of advocacy and prevention Thomas Schultz-Jagow said the “significant step forward” has “the potential to improve the lives of millions of animals.”

National wildlife charity the League Against Cruel Sports’s CEO Emma Slawinski welcomed the trail hunting ban but urged ministers “to go further and close the many loopholes in the law that make prosecuting illegal hunting so difficult for the police and courts.”

Reports of suspected illegal fox hunting have increased across the board despite the ban on hunting wild mammals with dogs marking its 20th anniversary, the league said.

Published ahead of the Boxing Day hunt, its figures showed a 16 per cent rise in suspected illegal hunting reports; a 10 per cent rise in fox pursuit reports, and a 3 per cent increase to 601 instances of “hunt havoc.”

The ban on shock collars will go to consultation alongside plans for a public safety campaign promoting responsible dog ownership following increased concern about XL bully-type dogs. 

Proposals for farmed animals include moving away from using colony cages for laying hens and pig farrowing crates, and introducing more humane fish slaughter methods.

Wild animal protections include the plans to ban trail hunting, alongside banning snare traps and introducing a closed hunting season for hares.

The measures are to build on the law changes introduced in Parliament over the last year.