Free micro-chipping to keep dogs legal

DOG owners can have their pets micro-chipped free at special Dogs Trust sessions in the Larne area between December 5-8.

Larne Borough Council has teamed up with the charity to help prepare owners for a change in the law. From next April, councils will be unable to issue dog licences for dogs which are not micro-chipped. It is an offence to be the keeper of an unlicensed dog and this can be dealt with by an officer issuing a fixed penalty of £80, or a fine of up to £1,000 if the case is taken to court.

The council is therefore urging as many people as possible to avoid any possibility of a penalty and get their dog micro-chipped early.

Director of Environmental Services Philip Thompson explained how to go about ensuring your dog stays legal: “There are several ways of getting your dog micro-chipped. These include taking the dog along to your local veterinary practice, or coming along to council micro-chipping clinics which are held one Thursday night per month, when the fee is only £10, or by availing of the Dogs Trust free micro-chipping road shows in the borough.” The Dogs Trust will be at the following venues:

Monday, December 5 – Croft Road car park, Carnlough, 10am-Noon; Glenarm car par, Cloney, 1-3pm.

Tuesday 6 – Ballycarry Community Centr, 10am-Noon; Islandmagee Community Centre, 1-3pm.

Wednesday 7 – Seacourt car park area, 10am-3pm.

Thursday 8 – Murrayfield car park 10am -3pm.

For those unable to get to the road shows the council will still be micro-chipping once a month. For further information please contact the Environmental Health Service on 028 272313 or [email protected]