Compulsory Microchipping Debated by MP

11 Mar 09

The Minister of Parliament for Battersea, Martin Linton, proposed that micropchipping of dogs become mandatory. Woof! Woof! All those in favour say ‘SuperWoof!’

The Battersea MP is campaigning for the compulsory microchipping of dogs. On route to this, Wandsworth Council announced it chipped and registered nearly 200 dogs this year.

Mr Linton is hoping to secure a ten minute rule bill on dangerous dogs. (About time, awoof!) As well as compulsory microchipping, the MP is also seeking to change in the law to allow officials to ban people from owning dogs. He also hopes to introduce a minimum age for ownership.

Mr Linton said: “Whilst I congratulate the council on introducing its scheme for microchipping, I believe that this is not enough to combat antisocial dog owners who make life a misery for people on the street by using their dogs as weapons and to intimidate.”

“I believe this initiative should become the compulsory microchipping of all dogs as this problem is not just limited to social or ex-social housing.” (Despite this, microchipping in Wandsworth is free for all the above).

Let’s just hope they have the foresight to require that all veterinary services be equipt with microchip readers!

A Wandsworth Council spokesman said: “Staffies dumped on the street because they are falling out of fashion were a real problem in the borough last year. Ensuring they are chipped will help deter owners from abandoning them.”

Mark Callis, head of the council’s dog control unit, added: “Most dog owners are responsible, but those that are not will find it much more difficult to use a dog to intimidate, or to dump it on the street, if the animal is microchipped and its owner’s details held on our database.”

To find out more information on micro-chipping visit wandsworth.gov.uk/dogs.

SuperWoof! Archie