A battery operated animal release tool and associated method for initiating release of the clamped jaws of e.g. a dog, including a vibratable probe connected at a proximate end to a handle, and an actuator for selectively operating the vibration of the vibratable probe, at least part of the vibratable probe being selectively moveably mounted to cause vibration of a distal end of the vibratable probe remote from the handle, wherein in use the tool is arranged to communicate a vibrating sensation to the mouth of the animal on contact of the probe with the animal.
