Chaining dogs for long periods of time could be prohibited if Parliament approves the Opposition's amendments to the Animal Welfare act.

In a series of amendments to the law, submitted by PN animal welfare spokesperson Mario Galea this morning, the Opposition highlighted a number of measures to protect dogs.

Electronic collars which give off shocks to dogs when they bark excessively would also be prohibited.

Mr Galea said the amendments would also ban restraining dogs for long periods of time.

“We know there are dogs out there which are restrained for 24 hours a day, every day. We cannot have that any longer,” Mr Galea said.

The ban on restraining would not apply during veterinary procedures and transportation, he said.

The issue of chaining dogs made headlines recently after a dog was found with a chain embedded in its neck. The incident happened just days after hundreds held a street march calling for stricter legislation on chaining.

The Animal Welfare parliamentary secretariat had said that a proposal to outlaw chaining dogs for long periods of time was already being discussed by the Animal Welfare Council.