06/02/2013

Compulsory Microchips For Dogs From 2016

Dog owners in England must microchip their animals by April 2016 under new government plans.

Changes to the Animal Welfare Act will see the animals chipped with contact details of owners to cut the growing number of strays.

Those who refuse to comply will face fines of up to £500.

A legal loophole may also be closed to allow owners to be prosecuted if their dog is attacked on private land.

Clarissa Baldwin, chief executive of the Dogs Trust charity, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the scheme would make "a huge difference".

Over 16,000 dogs looked after by the trust each year had not been microchipped, and those dogs could get back to their "worried owners if they have a microchip and are identifiable".

"With a register, kept up to date, people will be able to get their dogs back far more easily,"she added.

(GK)




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