IMO.....I see Nothing wrong w/ the fences as long as they are used as they are intended. Such as...don't use a fence intended for cattle/horses on dogs.
Of course, there's always that person that has NO common sense and would do that.
I have a friend that lives in a restricted community, a Golf course comm. They can't put up fences. She uses the underground fence for her 2 small dogs and its works like a charm AND does NOT hurt the dogs. The fence has adjustable settings and hers is set for 5 lb dog range.
I know of another man that has a LARGE dog he keeps in a run. The dog kept digging out so he tried using an Elect. fence inside the run. The dog would LAY ON the elec. fence, HAPPILY. He acted as if it weren't even there. So of course THAT didn't work. LOL. He then dug a 'trench' around the fence edge and poured concrete in it, also secured the bottom of fence to 'set' in the concrete. Worked like a charm. Hard to dig through concrete!
Just like w/ clothes...One size does NOT fit all. You do what works best for you and your pet.