From 06 April it will be compulsory for owners to ensure their dog is microchipped.
Already 83% of dog owners have had their four-legged friend painlessly implanted with a microchip and their details updated on a national database. This means should one of our 8.5 million dogs take itself for ‘walkies’ the government will be able to find out where they’ve gone to and reunite them with their family.
The new rules which come into force in England next month will not only protect the welfare of dogs and promote responsible ownership, but also make it easier to track down the owners of dogs that carry out attacks on people or livestock.
Commenting on the new law Animal Welfare Minister George Eustice said: "We are a nation of dog lovers and we want to make sure they stay safe. Microchipping our dogs will not only reunite people with their lost or stolen pets, but also help to tackle the growing problem of strays roaming the streets and relieve the burden placed on animal charities and local authorities.
Microchipping is vital for good dog welfare and a simple solution for responsible pet owners to provide peace of mind and ensure your much-loved dog can be traced."
Providing support for compulsory microchipping, Paula Boyden, Dogs Trust Veterinary Director added: "Dogs Trust welcomes the new legalisation coming into effect on 6 April as we have long campaigned to make microchipping compulsory. Losing a dog is an extremely upsetting time for both dog and dog owner and microchipping increases the likelihood that a dog will be reunited with their owner in the event they are lost, making it an essential part of animal welfare law in England. It is vital that the microchip details are kept up to date."
The soon-to-be-compulsory procedure is inexpensive and ranges from £10-£30, with many charities and animal shelters offering to carry it out for free.
