Microchipping
By law you must:
- fit your dog with a microchip by the time it’s 8 weeks’ old
- keep your dog’s microchip information up to date
If you don’t do this, you could face a fine of up to £500.
The microchip, the size of a grain of rice, sits under the dog's skin between the shoulder blades where it will sit painlessly for life.
You can't see or move the microchip, but if you lose your dog, it will ensure you get it back when found as long as the details held on the database are up to date. (For a reasonable fee some companies offer life-time updates no matter how many times you move or change your contact details.)
A microchip does not replace a collar and tag, so your dog will still need to wear these when out in public.
You can go to GOV.UK for more information on microchipping.
The Control of Dogs Order 1992 states that any dog in a public place must wear a collar with the name, address and postcode of the owner engraved or written on it, or engraved on a tag.
A telephone number is optional but you should not do not include your dog's name. You can receive a fine of up to £5,000 if your dog does not wear an identification tag.
