Compulsory dog microchipping comes into effect today
From today it will be compulsory for owners to ensure their dog is microchipped.
Under the new measures all owners must ensure their dog is microchipped and their details are kept up to date. Not only will this mean the UK’s 8.5 million dogs can be returned to their owners more quickly if they wander too far from home, but it will also make it easier to track down the owners of dogs that carry out attacks on people.
Already over 86% of responsible dog owners have had their pets painlessly implanted with a microchip and their details updated on a national database. This is vital to reunite over 102,000 dogs which are picked up from our streets having strayed or been stolen every year.
We also expect local authorities and charities, which would otherwise feed, kennel and home dogs, to make £33 million in annual savings were these dogs microchipped and returned to owners.
Commenting on the new law which comes into effect today, Animal Welfare Minister George Eustice said: “Every responsible dog owner wants to know their pet is safe. Microchipping 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. We are a nation of dog lovers and microchipping is crucial for both good dog welfare and to provide dog owners with peace of mind.”
From today (6 April 2016) owners of dogs found by the police or local authorities not to have a microchip will have the benefits explained to them and be given a short period to comply with the microchipping law. If they do not, they could face a fine of up to £500.
Already 7.34 million dogs are microchipped in the UK. This is a 25% increase since we consulted on the law in 2012.
According to the latest regional statistics South East, East Midlands and North West dog owners are leading the pack in taking action to chip their dog, with over one million, 959,000 and almost 900,000 dogs chipped, respectively. In the South West over 717,000 have added their details, followed by 648,000 in the West Midlands and 510,000 in the North East. Busy Londoners are trailing behind with an estimated 485,000 dog details added.
The Scottish SPCA supports the initiative. Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn (above) said, “The Scottish SPCA believes that the compulsory microchipping of dogs is a positive step forward for responsible pet ownership.
“Microchips can help return pets home if they go missing and identify people who abandon and mistreat animals.
“Every dog and cat we rehome is microchipped before they leave our care and it is certainly a responsible thing for pet owners to do.
“Anyone who has their pet microchipped should remember to update the details if they move address or their contact details change.
“Members of the public can have their dog microchipped at a cost of £17 at our animal rescue and rehoming centres across Scotland.”
Anyone wishing to make an appointment can call 03000 999 999.
Yesterday Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, recorded a huge increase in calls from dog owners rushing to get their dogs microchipped. The charity received over seven hundred calls on the eve of the introduction of the new legislation.
Dogs Trust has dedicated itself to campaigning for microchipping to be a legal requirement, and has offered free microchipping since 1999 both at its network of rehoming centres throughout the UK, and at free microchipping events, and will continue to offer free microchipping by appointment, after 6th April.
In March, Dogs Trust recorded over 6,000 Microchipping enquiries, more than eight times the amount received during the same period last year, and 1700 calls in the first four days of April, from dog owners hoping to get their dog chipped before the new law comes into force.
Dogs Trust has also seen huge queues of dog owners at their microchipping events, with people waiting hours to get their dogs chipped
for free by the charity.
Alex Jackson, Head of Campaigns at Dogs Trust said: “We are really encouraged to see thousands of people every day throughout England, Wales and Scotland, having their dog microchipped in the lead up to 6th April. They’re doing so not just because it will then become a legal requirement but because they now see it as the best means by which to be reunited with their dog should they be lost or stolen.
“Dogs Trust has long campaigned for this change in the law and we are thrilled that we have been able to help thousands of people across the UK get their dogs chipped; a key part of being a responsible dog owner. We’ll still be offering free microchipping by appointment at all of our rehoming centres after today and would encourage anyone who hasn’t already done so to get their dog microchipped and, for those who have done so already, to double check that their contact details are up to date.”
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