Dog microchipping deadline looms

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney has reminded all dog owners that new arrangements requiring all dogs to be both microchipped and registered on an authorised database will become compulsory from this Friday.

“The dog microchipping programme has been rolled out on a phased basis.Widespread microchipping of all dogs brings a range of benefits including the protection of the welfare of dogs and assist with speedy identification of stray dogs and their owners,” Minister Coveney said.

The minister added, “It will 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.”

The Minister stressed the importance of making sure all dogs are compliant with the requirements that the microchip used be ISO compliant and that the microchip details are registered on an authorised database.There are currently four authorised databases Animark, Fido, The Irish Coursing Club and the Irish Kennel Club