Dog Owners Face Being Fined if Pet is not Microchipped
From today dog owners could be fined up to £500 if their pets aren't microchipped.
More than one million dogs in the UK have not yet been microchipped - one in eight of the estimated canine population - the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said.
From today, dog owners must make sure their pet is fitted with a microchip by the time it is eight weeks old, or face a fine of up to £500.
If local authorities come across a dog without a microchip, owners will have up to 21 days to comply with the law.
Defra's Animal Welfare Minister George Eustice said: "We are a nation of dog lovers and we want to make sure they stay safe.
"Microchipping our dogs will not only reunite people with their lost or stolen pets, but also help to tackle the growing problem of strays roaming the streets, and relieve the burden placed on animal charities and local authorities.
"Microchipping is vital for good dog welfare and a simple solution for responsible pet owners to provide peace of mind and ensure your much-loved dog can be traced."
When a dog is microchipped a tiny chip about the size of a grain of rice is inserted under the loose skin on the back of its neck, giving it a unique 15-digit code.
If a dog becomes lost or gets stolen and is picked up by a local authority or a shelter, the microchip can be scanned and matched to contact details stored on a database.
Owners must make sure the microchip is updated if their contact details change, and people should ask for proof a microchip has been fitted before buying a new pet.
Microchipping technology has been in place for around a quarter of a century and is now compulsory in England, Wales and Scotland.
The new law does not replace previous requirements for dogs to wear a collar and tag with their owner's name and address when in a public place, Defra said.