I agree that these prong collars look just dreadful. I can't imagine wanting to have that around MY neck!! Yikes!
It really is ashame when people use the choke collars in bad ways. I'm really not at liberty to say whether or not I support them (because our dog never had one), but I've seen and read some horror stories surrounding them.
Here is a story about a Rottweiler in Michigan that made my skin crawl...
http://www.themestream.com/gspd_brow...ist=&cookied=T

DO NOT look at the pictures if you have a weak stomach or do not want to see the plight of this poor dog. But the story is there to read. It said that this dog was a stray, but someone had to have put that choke collar on her...

I just think people need to take responsibility and caution when using these collars. Many don't know of the hazards that they can cause when unsupervised. Someone may not think about what would happen if that collar got snagged on something and no one was around. I read somewhere (it might even have been here) that someone thought it would be a good idea to put warning labels on the collars in the store since they don't have them currently. I think that is a good idea. I know many people who love their dogs dearly, and they use a choke collar under supervision. I guess it depends on the person and the circumstances. Personally, I've never used one. I don't think I will choose to go that route to train my future dog either.