FROM 2016 ONWARDS all dogs in Ireland will have to be microchipped.
The Department of Agriculture has announced that a microchipping programme will begin with puppies in September of this year, before being expanded to all dogs in March 2016.
Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said that widespread microchipping will have a number of positive benefits, including “speedily uniting stray dogs with their owners”.
He said it will also act as “a deterrent for those who abandon dogs and assist in identifying marauding dogs and those that pose a threat to livestock or people”.
Microchipping is not currently mandatory but is needed to apply for a dog passport.
Coveney said that many “responsible owners” have already had their dogs microchipped, adding it is important they ensure registered details are up to date and correct “so that if their dog is lost they can be contacted”.
The minister said the cost of implanting microchips and data registration services has fallen in recent times.
He added that “the disadvantaged in society who own a dog” can avail of “quite a number of subsidised microchipping initiatives” introduced by animal welfare charities.
Coveney is a big fan of dogs.
He REALLY loves them.
Big or small.
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