Millions face fines over pet chips

OWNERS of nearly two million dogs face £ 500 fines if they do not get them microchipped in the next month, vets warned yesterday.

All dogs aged eight weeks and over in England, Scotland and Wales will be legally required to have a microchip from April 6.

This is designed to make it easier to reunite owners with lost or stolen dogs.

But it will also help track down the owners of aggressive dogs and make it tougher for illegal puppy farms.

Risk

The chips should also save councils and charities £ 33million a year by reducing the number of strays whose owners cannot be found.

Veterinary chain Vets4Pets yesterday said it estimated that 80 per cent of Britain’s 8.5 million dogs have been microchipped.

But that leaves 1.8 million still without microchips which means their owners risk a fine of up to £ 500 per dog.

Dr Huw Stacey, director of clinical services at Vets4Pets, said: “In just a few weeks’ time, tens of thousands of dog own- ers could be breaking the law and facing a fine of up to £ 500.

“But pet owners shouldn’t worry about microchipping their pet. It is an easy and simple procedure.

“A microchip is about the same size as a grain of rice and is injected under the skin at the scruff of a dog’s neck.

“Each microchip has a 15- digit code which is unique to the pet and can be read through a special scanner.”

Dr Stacey added: “By adding a traceable element to all dogs it will help lost or stolen pets be reunited with their owner.

“It is also vital that all owners keep their contact details up to date on a microchip database.

Microchipping costs between £ 10 and £ 30 per dog though it is offered free at Dogs Trust centres.

Paula Boyden, veterinary director of the welfare charity, said: “Dogs Trust welcomes the new legalisation 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, making it an essential part of animal welfare law.”

Every year more than 102,000 dogs are picked up from the streets having strayed or been stolen and many cannot be reunited with their owners because they have no identification on them.

But Northern Ireland, which introduced compulsory microchipping in 2012, has seen a decrease in the number of stray, lost and abandoned dogs.

Reunite

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 muchloved dog can be traced.” Fletcher Porritt, right, and the scars left on his body by the police dog