LTB069/16 Dog Compulsory Microchipping Law - Scotland and the rest of the UK

[TrueBlueTerrier]

LTB069/16 Dog Compulsory Microchipping Law - Scotland and the rest of the UK

No. 069/16

Ref: P18/16

Date: 3 February 2016



To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues

Dog Compulsory Microchipping Law - Scotland and the rest of the UK:

Part of the Union's 'Bite-Back' Campaign was to support the introduction of Compulsory Microchipping of all dogs in the UK.

I am pleased to report that the Scottish Government Microchipping Regulations became law at the end of January 2016 and so all four parts of the UK will now require dogs to be microchipped with the English, Welsh and Scottish Regulations coming into force by 6th April 2016. Scotland was the final part of the UK to agree to introduce the new Law. Microchipping is already compulsory in Northern Ireland.

From April, all dogs will need to have an implanted chip with their owners' details registered and kept up to date on a licenced database.

The CWU along with the Police, Dog Wardens, Animal welfare charities and dog experts have long supported the measure and are hoping that microchipping dogs will encourage "responsible dog ownership".

All dog owners are being urged to make it a priority to get their dog’s microchipped before the law change becomes mandatory in April. They have just over two months to act.

Dogs Trust, the UK's largest dog welfare charity is continuing to offer free microchipping at its rehoming centres, as well as at selected veterinary practices and at mobile drop-in events until the end of March.

The message to all dog owners therefore is to make the most of the free microchipping offer while it is available.

Compulsory microchipping will help reduce the number of lost, stolen and abandoned dogs, helping to reunite pets with their rightful owners and so safeguard animal welfare and promote responsible ownership.

However, and importantly for the CWU members who fall victim to dog attacks, it will allow the Police and Local Authority Dog Wardens to more easily directly identify dog owners and hold them accountable for their dogs' behaviour and welfare.

We are pleased that from April microchipping will now be compulsory in Scotland along with the rest of the UK, but owners need to be continually reminded that no matter how responsible they are, the Microchipping is the most effective way to assist in a lost dog being returned to their owner, however, to enable this it is important that owners keep their database details up to date.

Royal Mail agreed to the CWU request to include a reminder to Dog Owners to update Dog microchip information in the 'Home Mover/Letter Re-Direction Pack'.

Scotland currently has an estimated stray dog population of over 1,400 dogs.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer