New law requires microchips for dogs - Hammersmith & Fulham
Pet owners across England will soon have to microchip their dogs under new laws coming into effect on April 6.
The Government’s new law requires that all dog owners microchip their animals and register the details on one of a number of authorised databases. It follows a successful rollout of the scheme in Northern Ireland.
Police officers and staff from Hammersmith and Fulham Council will be issued with microchip reader scanners so that they can instantly check whether or not an animal has been microchipped.
Owners whose animals have not been microchipped will be given 21 days to get it done by, or face a £500 fine.
Forty per cent of the stray dogs collected in H&F this year have not had a microchip. Even if you sell, or give your pet away, the new owner’s details have to be updated to avoid breaching the law.
If you have not yet had your pet microchipped, your vet and many organisations (such as the Dogs Trust) offer a free or subsidised service.
H&F’s Parks Police also carry out free microchipping events. A list of forthcoming events is below:
- Parsons Green, Friday 4 March 8.30am-10.30am
- Hammersmith Town Hall forecourt, Monday 14 March 8.30am-10.30am
- Holland Park, Tuesday 22 March 11am-3pm with The Dogs Trust
- Avondale Park, Monday 4 April 8.30am-10.30am
It is also illegal for any dog in a public place to not be wearing a collar with a tag that bears the name and address, including postcode of the owner. It is recommended that you also include a phone number.
