Microchipping for all?

Every newborn puppy will have to be microchipped under the new Government proposals to crack down on out-of-control animals. Speaking in the House of Lords last week, environment minister Lord Taylor said that the Government was close to finalising measures to tackle irresponsible dog owners, and that a final announcement would be made soon.

He said: ?We see microchipping as one of the measures we can take to address an increasing problem.?

More than half of all dogs in the UK are already microchipped on a voluntary basis, and the Government hopes that introducing a compulsory system will also prevent puppy farming, and cut the cost of caring for and rehoming strays.
Lord Taylor concluded: ?I have clearly flagged up the possibility of an expansion of microchipping, and we are working with everybody to make sure that this will happen.?