Dog Chipping

Since April, 6 it has been a legal requirement for every dog owner in England to have their pet microchipped and the details of their animal registered on an authorised database. Owners have to comply with the new legislation or risk facing a penalty of up to £500.

The microchips will be coded with owners’ details and the police and local authorities will be issued with microchip reader scanners. Owners of dogs found not to be microchipped being served with a notice requiring them to have the dog chipped.

Pet owners will have 21 days to get their dog chipped after which time a £500 fine for failing to comply will be issued. The process of microchipping and registering to an approved database must be completed by the time the dog reaches 8 weeks of age.

Government figures reveal that more than 100,000 dogs are dumped or lost each year, costing £57m to the taxpayer and welfare charities and it is hoped the change will reduce the number of lost pets and ease the burden on animal charities and local authorities.