As of 6th April 2016 Microchipping of Dogs becomes Compulsory

Make sure your dog is microchipped to avoid a £500 fine.

The government has using secondary legislation under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 introduced compulsory Microchipping.

The British Veterinarian Association has been campaigning for all dogs to be microchipped for many years. Microchipping should it is argued help to tackle irresponsible dog ownership and improve dog welfare.

From the 6th of April 2016, all dogs must be microchipped and registered to an approved database by the time they are 8 weeks old.

If your dog is not currently microchipped, you will have until 6th of April to get your dog microchipped and registered on an approved database.

If a keeper of a dog which is not microchipped gets served with a notice requiring them to have the dog chipped, they will have 21 days to do this.

Should you be worried about Microchipping?

Dr Huw Stacey says: “Pet owners shouldn’t worry about microchipping their pe.

“It is an easy and simple procedure.

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

Exemptions

A dog will be legally exempt from being microchipped only when a vet certifies that it cannot be microchipped for health reasons.

Vets Reporting Duties

The Microchipping of Dogs (2015) Regulations came into force in England on 24 February 2015. Veterinary surgeons will now be obliged to report:

• Intermittently working or failed microchips
• Migrated microchips
• Microchips that have caused an adverse reaction (for example haematoma, infection or inflammatory response)