Micro-chipping all dogs would ensure they are returned to their owners more quickly if they stray, reducing the stress on the animal.
Instant traceability of dogs would also encourage responsible ownership.
That is the message from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, which is consulting the public over plans to make micro-chipping of dogs compulsory.
The Dogs Act 1990 requires dogs, with certain exemptions, to be licenced and wear collars and identification discs.
Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the Dogs Act will be amended to introduce compulsory micro-chipping and offences including failure to micro-chip and failure to notify change of ownership.
Launching the consultation, Richard Ronan MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said: ‘The current licensing system is old, bureaucratic and does not fully address problems associated with irresponsible owners.
‘It does not provide a failsafe way to identify and trace owners of dogs.’
The Minister said: ‘Fitting of a micro-chip is recognised by animal welfare agencies, including the Manx SPCA, as the most effective and secure way of permanently identifying animals.
‘Micro-chipping improves animal welfare by making it easier to reunite a stray dog with its owner, reducing the level of stress for the animal as well as the costs incurred in kennelling and feeding it.’
Compulsory micro-chipping would also:
• Help establish liability in cases where ownership issues and failures have contributed to breaches of legislation
• Enhance control measures in case of disease
• Act as a deterrent against dog theft.
The consultation can viewed at www.gov.im/consultations.
Email copies of the consultation document can be requested from John Howie, Manager of the Environmental Health Unit at the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, via John.Howie@gov.im and hard copies can be collected from DEFA, Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John’s, IM4 3AS.
Responses should be sent to this address by Friday 1st May 2015.
At present, some dogs don’t need to be licenced, including dogs under six months old that are still with a breeder; assistance dogs/guide dogs; dogs used for law enforcement, search and rescue or to herd cattle or sheep; sporting dogs; vermin control or dogs that are only in the Island for a short period.
If the law is changed, it would immediately require new puppies and older dogs sold or gifted to a new home to be micro-chipped. All remaining dogs would need to be micro-chipped within a year and would require a licence in the meantime.
Micro-chipping involves the insertion of a small chip, the size of a grain of rice and carrying a unique code, under an animal’s skin.
Micro-chipping will be compulsory in England from April 2016.
Photo - Courtesy of PDSA.
