No they are not illegal at all. I have seen one put to good use, with a metal out of control Dobermann. Cant see the problem personally. If a dog pulls and he feels discomfort, then he doesnt pull, if that achieves your goal then its fine by me. Wouldnt use one myself, but then Id never let a dog pull to within an inch of its life and be so out of control that I could see the need for one.

Sorry if this has already been stated and I've missed it, but is it that these barbaric things can be bought or ordered from outside the UK and shipped here?

Nope, they can be bought here.

I seem to be seeing more of them out and about sadly.

Really? I can honestly say I have never seen one at all on any dog besides the Dobermann I know of.

They`re actually quite difficult to spot if you`re not looking for them. The spikes are inside and raise to dig into the dog`s flesh only when pressure is applied (isn`t it wonderful how people are SO inventive). I actually brought a rehomed dog home on one without realising it (I`d never heard of them before). I couldn`t understand why she was behaving so oddly, hopping up and down and so tense all the time, till I took the collar off. I was mortified, and phoned the RSPCA to ask if these were legal. I was shocked to here they are. It took ages to get that youngster walking properly.

I believe you do get the odd dog who will need to be treated like this, they will be challenging you for Alpha dog which is nature and you have to stand up. But I think all other options need to be looked at 1st.
ATD x

I disagree. Totally.

would you rather the animal be destroyed? I know of someone who had a v. aggressive Doberman he tried everything in the end he had to challenge back. he made a lovely dog.
ATD x
btw i dont agree with the prong collars.

Think people will always view the Pinch collar as something barbarric, especially if they have a normal driven dog, and have never used 1,