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All dogs must be microchipped from next year

All dogs will have to be microchipped from April 2016.
All dogs will have to be microchipped from April 2016.

Scottish dog owners will be required by law to have their pets microchipped from next year.

Compulsory microchipping will come into force in April 2016, the same time as the measure is introduced in England and Wales.

The move is expected to be backed by a hefty fine similar to penalties in the rest of the UK.

Dog owners who refuse to comply face a fine of up to £500 in England and Wales. Since 2012 all dogs in Northern Ireland have had to be microchipped at eight weeks in order to get a licence and anyone with an unlicensed animal can be fined up to £1,000.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “The detail has still to be finalised. An announcement will be made in due course.”

Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn welcomed yesterday’s announcement but said he was interested to see how it would be policed and enforced.

He said: “The likelihood is most responsible owners will have their pets microchipped. However, those who neglect or abandon their dogs or allow them to be dangerously out of control will not.

“Steps must therefore be taken so that compulsory microchipping does not become a tax on responsible pet owners.”

Compulsory microchipping is expected to help reunite lost or stolen dogs with their owners and allow councils to identify dog owner and hold them accountable for their dog’s behaviour or when there are concerns about animal welfare.

It is thought about two-thirds of dogs have already had a microchip containing their owners’ details fitted voluntarily.

A public consultation last year on responsible dog ownership revealed more than 83% favoured a compulsory system.

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “In 2014, over 10,000 dogs across these islands were reunited with their owners as a result of a microchip.

“This is an impressive figure, but it could be improved on dramatically by ensuring that all dogs are microchipped, and, equally important, that their details are kept up-to-date.”

Ahead of the new rules coming into force, Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, is offering free microchipping to all unchipped dogs in Scotland at mobile drop-in events and at its two rehoming centres.