Henry Smith MP has urged Crawley dog owners to ensure their pets are chipped ahead of new microchipping laws which come into effect on 6th April 2016.
Henry said;
“As a dog lover (and owner of a beagle myself!) I’d urge other dog owners to chip their four-legged friends.
“Each year more than 102,000 dogs are picked up from the streets, having strayed or been stolen, but new microchipping laws will mean they have a much greater chance of being reunited with their owners.”
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs have confirmed that 83 per cent of responsible dog owners have had their pets painlessly implanted with a microchip, and their details updated on a national database. This ensures that should one of the 8.5 million dogs registered be found by someone other than its owner, they can swiftly be reunited with their family.
After 6th April 2016, owners of dogs found by the police or local authorities not to have a microchip will have the benefits explained to them and be given a short period to comply with the microchipping law. If they do not, they could face a fine of up to £500.
Organisations including the Dogs Trust, Blue Cross centres, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, as well as some vets and some local authorities will microchip dogs for free.