A review of the ban on electric shock collar training for dogs in Wales has been ruled out despite new data showing that farmers in the region lost £306,068 worth of stock last year to dog attacks – four and a half times higher than losses in Scotland.

Wales was the first UK region to outlaw the use of electric collars and eight years after the 2010 ban Scotland issued advisory guidance on their use; a ban is now under consideration in England.

But as new NFU Mutual data show soaring numbers of incidents of dog worrying, campaigners are calling for the ban to be lifted.

E-collars are used to train dogs to associate sheep with a static pulse so they become wary of approaching them.

In a recent interview with The Sunday Telegraph, former Welsh Secretary David Jones MP called for the ban to be urgently reassessed, suggesting that the data on deaths made clear that it had "failed" and was "leading to many more animal deaths".

Jamie Penrith, of the Association of Responsible Dog Owners, has said that Mr Jones was right to say that the policy had failed.

“If the Welsh Government refuses to review this ban it would indicate a heartlessness to the sheep which are being savaged and the dogs which are being shot,’’ said Mr Penrith.

But the Welsh Government has said it has no plans to review the decision it had taken on the use of electric collars.

Its position statement comes in the same week as it launched an awareness campaign on dog worrying as more lambs were turned out to pasture.

Rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths said dog attacks on sheep and other livestock was a “matter we take very seriously’’.

“The majority of owners do the right thing in controlling their dogs, but there are others who don’t,’’ she said.

“The costs – financially and emotionally – for those who own or find dead and injured animals, are wholly unacceptable, as are the animal welfare implications.’’

The minister said the administration was working with the UK Government on introducing further safeguards through the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill.

“I urge all owners to ensure their dog is kept under control and encourage livestock keepers to report all incidents where they are not to the police,’’ she said.

Wales rural and wildlife crime coordinator Rob Taylor said attacks by dogs on sheep and other livestock were “wholly preventable’’.

“We see more than 300 attacks per year with animals brutalised and often killed, as well as dogs being shot or euthanised and the owner appearing before the courts,’’ he said.

“Responsible dog ownership is key and it’s important to ensure pets are under control at all times, or if left home alone, that the house or garden are secure.”