Medway Council in Kent is urging dog owners to have their pets micro-chipped before the law on compulsorily micro-chipping dogs comes into effect on Wednesday 6 April.
The council and several other councils in England are offering a free micro-chipping service to dog owners to make sure they comply with the new law.
From 6 April, it will be compulsory for all dogs over the age of eight weeks in England to be fitted with a microchip, which stores contact details of the owner.
The system will enable stray dogs to be reunited with their owners if council wardens pick them up, or they are taken to a dogs’ home if found wandering.
Once the new rules come into effect, if a dog without a microchip comes to the attention of the local council, its owner may be served with a notice requiring the dog to be micro-chipped – and may face criminal prosecution and a £500 fine if they do not comply with the notice.
Anyone breeding dogs will be responsible for micro-chipping their puppies before they sell or give them to new owners or carers – and all imported dogs will need to have a microchip.
Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder in charge of community wardens, Councillor Rupert Turpin, said:
“…I urge residents with dogs without micro-chips to contact the council and book an appointment for the free service as soon as possible. There is no excuse not to, as it’s free and wardens can deliver the service within the home.
“Since the setting up of the Medway Council Stray Dog Service Facebook page, we have seen lost dogs reunited with their owners more quickly – but the process will be even more efficient once micro-chipping becomes a legal requirement, hopefully resulting in many more easily identifiable dogs.”
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