Chip Before It’s Too Late

South Wales Police is reminding dog owners as of the 6th April 2016 the law regarding microchipping of dogs is changing in England, Scotland and Wales. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

By 6 April 2016, all dogs over eight weeks old will need to be microchipped, with their owners’ details registered on an approved database. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Walter Pennell, Dog Legislation Officer at South Wales Police said: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It is vital that owners take their responsibilities seriously, the purpose of microchipping allows for stray animals to be returned to their owner as quickly as possible and reduces the possibility of puppy farms. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Unlike dog tags and collars, which can fall off or be removed, microchipping is a more permanent form of identifying your dog. Microchipping allows for easier and quicker identification and is supported by the Police Service and Animal Welfare Organisations.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Dog owners need to also ensure that all dogs wear a collar and tag, it’s the law. All Dog owners are reminded that The Control of Dogs Order 1992 mandates that any dog in a public place must wear a collar with the owner’s name, address and postcode engraved or written on it, or engraved on a dog identity tag even if your dog is microchipped. Owners can also display their telephone number which is advisable. Advice can be sought from Vets or animal welfare organisations. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​