had practical experience.
A cat and a fairly large superpower magnet were available, a collar was built from a Velcro tape (a lipo) (two strips are in-touched so as not to cling to the wool). The role of the fence was performed by a steel heating battery (magnetizes).
Untrained to the collar, the cat immediately gave a hole, a magnet slowed his escape slightly. Cover of carpet.
Myth is destroyed!

P.S There is a suspicion that the experiment could be successfully carried out on linoleum or other slippery coating, and probably on a fluoroplastic surface treated with silicone lubricant, but this is obviously different from the initial conditions. Also, it is possible that if instead of a three-year-old Siberian take a kitty of a regular average European cat under the age of one year, you can get the described result.

The collar is reasonably completed, the magnet is placed to other glands, the cat is fed and feels good.