SIR – As part of National Microchipping Month this month, the Microchipping Alliance are calling on the Government to introduce compulsory microchipping for all Dogs in the UK.
Microchipping is the most effective way of ensuring lost dogs are returned to their owners. However of the 8.2 million pet dogs currently in the UK, more than a third remain unidentifiable.
In 2010, local authorities took in over 121,000 stray dogs. Dealing with these dogs cost an estimated £2.9 million of taxpayers’ money. If more dogs were microchipped, more could be returned to their owners and the cost to local authorities should be vastly reduced.
Of those dogs taken in last year, 6,404 were put to sleep. Compulsory microchipping would also mean fewer dogs lose their lives unnecessarily.
We consider that the time is right for the Government to make permanent identification mandatory and urge ministers to recognise the importance of this issue.
Clarissa Baldwin OBE, chief executive of Dogs Trust and chair of Microchipping Alliance, Wakley Street, London
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