Animal control system using global positioning and instrumental animal conditioning

An apparatus for controlling the location and direction of movement of an animal comprising:

• a) a bilateral stimulus unit comprising first and second independently operable stimuli generators effective for selectively applying at least one aversive sensory stimulus onto one side of an animal;
• b) a satellite positioning system receiver effective for determining the position of an animal, wherein said bilateral stimulus unit and said satellite positioning system receiver are adapted to be worn by said animal;
• and
• c) a microprocessor in communication with said bilateral stimulus unit and said satellite positioning system receiver;
• said microprocessor having input therein i) the position of at least one predetermined boundary line which said animal is not to cross and which separates a first area in which said animal is to be retained from a second area which said animal is to be excluded, ii) the position of a first threshold line at which a first aversive stimulus is to be applied to said animal to deter said animal from crossing or approaching said boundary line, said first threshold line being the same as said boundary line or spaced outwardly of said boundary line within said first area, and iii) a selected one side of said animal for application of an aversive stimulus if the left side of said animal is nearest to said first threshold line or said boundary line while located within said first area, and the other side of said animal for application of an aversive stimulus if the right side of the animal is nearest to said first threshold line or said boundary line while within said first area;
• and wherein said microprocessor is programmed to:
• 1) receive data indicative of the position of said animal from said satellite positioning system receiver for determining movement and direction of said animal relative to said first threshold line and said boundary line;
• 2) compare the position of said animal determined in (1) with the position of said first threshold line to determine when said animal contacts said first threshold line;
• 3) compare said direction of movement of said animal determined in (1) with said first threshold line and determine which side of said animal is nearest to said first threshold line;
• and
• 4) selectively activate one of said first or second stimuli generators in response to the determination of the distance from said closest boundary line and the determination of which side of the animal is nearest to said closest boundary line, to apply said first aversive stimulus to the left side or the right side of said animal to cause said animal to move in a direction away from said boundary line if said animal contacts said first threshold line, said first aversive stimulus being applied to said one side of said animal if the left side of said animal is substantially nearer to said first threshold line than its right side, to the other side of said animal if the right side of the animal is substantially nearer to said first threshold line than its left side, or to an arbitrarily selected side of said animal if said right side and left side of said animal are approximately equidistant from said first threshold line.