Powers to introduce compulsory microchipping of dogs

AGRICULTURE Minister Michelle O’Neill has announced that the powers for compulsory microchipping of dogs will commence on April 9.

Minister O’Neill said: “The final provisions in the Dogs (Amendment) Act, which requires dogs to be microchipped in order to obtain a valid dog licence, will commence on April 9 2012. This new requirement will put the north of Ireland at the forefront of dog control in these islands.”

The Dogs (Licensing and Identification) Regulations (NI) 2012, which will come into operation on the same date, requires that dogs held under a block licence must also be microchipped. The Regulations also set out the technical requirement for microchips and specify the record keeping requirements for block licence holders.

Ms O’Neill added: “These new provisions require dog owners to microchip their dogs before they obtain a new dog licence or block licence on or after April 9 2012. Microchipping of dogs will assist Council dog wardens to trace the owners of dangerous and out of control dogs more quickly and help reunite stray and stolen dogs with their owners.

“I am grateful to the Councils and the Dogs Trust for their invaluable work in promoting microchipping. I understand that the Dogs Trust has facilitated the microchipping of over 54,000 dogs in the north in the past year. Microchipping is an essential part of dog control and I would encourage all dog owners to ensure that their details are kept up to date on the relevant microchip database.

“I have included in the Regulations a short exemption, until January 1 2013 for thoroughbred greyhounds registered with the Irish Coursing Club. This will allow time for Irish Coursing Club to enhance their systems to facilitate the recording of microchip numbers.

“I am also phasing in the age at which pups need to be microchipped under a block licence. From April 9 2012, the age at which pups held under a block licence will have to be microchipped is 12 weeks. From January 1 2013, the age at which pups held under a block licence will have to be microchipped will reduce to eight weeks, providing a consistent approach across Ireland to the microchipping of pups.”