As of 6 April, under law, dogs are required to be microchipped.
North Dorset District Council, West Dorset District Council and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council are urging dog owners to ensure their pets are chipped and that their contact details on the microchip database are up-to-date.
Graham Duggan, North Dorset, West Dorset and Weymouth & Portland Council’s Head of Community Protection, said: “Microchipping is an essential part of responsible dog ownership and the most effective permanent way of ensuring lost dogs are returned to their owner.”
During regular patrols, borough and district council dog wardens will be stopping owners and asking to check if their dog is microchipped. Wardens will be advising owners about microchipping, reminding them of the benefits.
Benefits of microchipping dogs include:
• Providing safe, effective and permanent identification
• Reuniting strays with their owners
• Tackling puppy farming
• Encouraging responsible ownership
• Facilitating the reporting of hereditary health problems in pedigree dogs.
Owners can get their pet microchipped at local veterinary centres and update details through microchipping database companies. Updating details can carry a charge.
Should dogs not be microchipped there is no fixed penalty notice. Instead owners will be given a notice requiring them to get their pet microchipped within 21 days or potentially face a fine of up to £500.
The microchip law does not replace the collar and tag law. Dogs will still be required to have a collar and tag that states the name and address of the owner when in a public place.
Notes to editors
Issued by Dorset Councils Partnership Communications Team. For more information contact 01305 838079.
Some dogs are exempt from microchipping, these include:
• Puppies under eight weeks old
•Certain working dogs – Under 6(3) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006
