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Feature: British dog owners failing to register their pets to face stiff fines

Xinhua, March 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

Pet owners in Britain have been warned to take their pet dogs to get them micro-chipped -- or face a tough fine.

From April 6, it will be compulsory for owners to have their dogs micro-chipped or face a fine of up to 500 pounds (707 U.S. dollars).

Every year, over 102,000 dogs are picked up from British streets after straying or been stolen, but officials believe many will have a greater chance of being returned home with the new microchip law.

"With a painlessly implanted microchip, details are kept on a national database. It means if one of Britain's 8.5 million dogs take themselves for walks, we can quickly find out where they've come from and reunite them with their families," said a spokesman for Defra, the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs.

The new rules, which come into force in England next month, will not only protect the welfare of dogs and promote responsible ownership, but also make it easier to track down the owners of dogs that carry out attacks on people," added the spokesman.

It is expected that local authorities and charities will save at least 47 million U.S. dollars by not having to provide kennels and food for as many dogs once the scheme goes live in April.

Animal Welfare Minister George Eustice said Monday: "We are a nation of dog lovers and we want to make sure they stay safe. Micro-chipping our dogs will not only reunite people with their lost or stolen pets, but also help to tackle the growing problem of strays roaming the streets and relieve the burden placed on animal charities and local authorities."

Paula Boyden, veterinary director at the animal charity Dogs Trust, said: "We welcome the new legalization as we have long campaigned to make micro-chipping compulsory. Losing a dog is an extremely upsetting time for both dog and dog owner and micro-chipping increases the likelihood that a dog will be reunited with their owner."

Last year almost 48,000 unclaimed and unwanted dogs were left in council kennels across Britain as these dogs could not be reunited with their owners. The Dogs Trust currently cares for over 1,500 stray, unwanted or abandoned dogs, looked after for their entire lives if needed.

Until 1987, British dog owners had to buy a dog license at the cost of 37 pence (52 U.S. cents). There are an estimated 8.5 million dogs kept as pets in Britain. Endit