OK not quite Chip and Pin but hopefully it caught your attention! It’s really about Dog Microchip and ID Tag requirements.
In this post we’re going to look at two things we as dog owners are legally responsible for –
a: Ensuring your dog is microchipped and the records are up to date.
b: Dog ID tags.
Get Your Dog Chipped
As of 6th April 2016 it became law that dog owners are responsible for ensuring that their dog is chipped and that the records associated with the chip are kept up to date and accurate.
Having dogs chipped is great for owners. If your dog gets lost then it is easy once the dog has been picked up to get it reunited with you quickly.
The other benefit of dogs being chipped is that it makes it easier to track down dogs that have attacked people.
If you are found to have an unchipped dog then, you will be given a short period of time to get it sorted which, if you fail to do will result in you facing a £500 fine!
When buying a dog you should ask for proof from the owner that the dog has been chipped. The proof could be either, Vet Records, Microchip Certificate or a Pet Passport. Once you take ownership of the dog it is your responsibility to get the microchip records updated.
A dogs microchip has to be implanted by a properly trained professional such as a vet. According to gov.uk you can get it done for free at, The Battersea Dogs Home, Some Blue Cross Centres or Dog Trust.
Please not that these organisations/charities may not offer free microchipping to everyone. They may focus their efforts on those on benefits.
Dog ID Tags
Even though your dog is chipped it is still a legal requirement that your dog when in a public space, wears a collar with and ID tag attached to the collar or suspended from it.
The ID tag must contain the dog owners name and address.
Failure to comply with these requirements leaves you open to a fine which can go up to a hefty £2000!
There are various formats of name and address info that are acceptable.
You can go fully minimalistic with just your surname name, house number and postcode or the whole hog with, full name and full address or any variant in between.
It is entirely up to you if you put a contact phone number, your dogs name and info about any behavioral issues your dog has on the tag.
We think a phone number is a definite inclusion as, it allows anyone who has found your dog to contact you and reunite it with you very quickly.
What Dog ID Tag To Get
When it comes to dog ID tags there are wide variety to choose from to suit your personal preferences and a wide variety of sources both off-line and on-line.
The one thing we have found over the years is it is best to get a durable one so we go for heavy gauge stainless steel. Aluminium and brass tags just don’t last that long on our dogs before the clip hole has worn away and the ID tag is lost.
The best ID tags we have found come from an online retailer Bow Wow Meow Pet Tags. The stainless steel is thicker than that from other providers and the laser engraving is deep, clear and easy to read.
