Published: Monday 21st March 2016 | 4.28pm
Cannock Chase Council working in conjunction with the Dog’s Trust and Swan Pit Kennels, Gnosall is offering residents who own a dog the chance to get it microchipped at a free microchipping event.
The event will take place at Victory Hall, Slitting Mill Lane, Slitting Mill on Saturday 2nd April from 10am-3pm, before the new law comes into force on 6th April 2016.
The Dogs Trust is providing the microchips and staff from Swan Pit Kennels, in Gnosall, will be implanting them in dogs free of charge.
This event is part of the Council’s ongoing initiative to promote responsible dog ownership and Council officers will be on hand to give out information and offer advice to owners regarding dog fouling, keeping dogs on leads, noise nuisance and other aspects of dog control.
Dog owners who have obtained a dog that has already been microchipped but have not updated their contact details with the microchip registration company must also do so before the 6th April to avoid committing an offence. Council officers will be able to scan each dog to check if it has already been microchipped and will be able to direct owners to the registration company.
In order to access the scheme dog owners will be required to provide evidence that they are residents of the Cannock Chase District, such as a council tax or utility bill, bank statement or other document confirming their name and their address in the District.
Councillor Alan Dudson, Portfolio Leader for Environment said “This is the last chance for dog owners who have not yet had their dog microchipped, to do so free of charge before the law comes effect on the 6th April. Local vets will still be available to microchip dogs, but owners may face a charge for this service.
This free microchipping event will mean that residents are not liable to the penalty of up to £500 for failing to have their dog microchipped. The law also gives Councils the power to seize dogs that have not been microchipped, have them microchipped and recover the full cost of this process from the owner.”
A dog collar with the name and address/phone number of its owner is still a legal requirement for your dog. However, microchipping a dog is the most effective way of making sure that a lost or stolen dog is reunited with their rightful owner and helps reduce the number of stray dogs.
Microchipping is a quick, simple and painless procedure that can be done to any dog over the age of 12 weeks. A microchip, which is permanent, is inserted under the skin on the back of the neck. Each microchip is coded with a unique number that is linked to a computer database containing the owner’s details. Once a dog is microchipped, they can be scanned to trace their owners if lost or stolen.