Panic Protection

The eShepherd neckband includes a built-in Panic Protection feature that automatically suspends all virtual fence stimulus if an animal enters a distressed or panicked state. This ensures that animals are never subjected to audio cues or electrical pulses while running or fleeing.

How It Works

The neckband continuously monitors animal movement using its built-in accelerometer. If the neckband detects that an animal is moving at a speed consistent with a panic or flight response, it immediately disables all stimulus — no audio, no pulse.

1. Normal Operation

The neckband monitors the animal's movement and enforces the virtual fence boundary as normal.

2. Panic Detection

If the animal's speed exceeds the panic threshold, the neckband immediately ceases all stimulus.

The animal is free to move without receiving any audio cues or electrical pulses for the duration of the panic state.

3. Recovery

Once the animal has slowed to a walking speed and remained at that speed for a short period, the neckband automatically re-engages virtual fence enforcement.

If the animal is inside the inclusion zone, normal containment resumes.

If the animal is outside the inclusion zone, the neckband will resume stimulus only if the animal moves further away from the virtual fence boundary.

Why It Matters

Panic can be triggered by factors unrelated to the virtual fence — a predator, a sudden noise, or a disturbance within the herd. Delivering stimulus to an already-panicked animal would be ineffective and contrary to good animal welfare practice.

Panic Protection ensures the system responds to the animal's actual behavioural state, not just its position relative to a boundary.

Key Points

• Panic Protection is automatic — it requires no action from the operator.
• It is always active while a virtual paddock is running.
• The panic threshold and recovery conditions are set by Gallagher and are not operator-adjustable.
• Once the animal has recovered, virtual fence enforcement resumes automatically.

v1.0, 03/2026

Updated on: 17/03/2026