Bring BACK dog licences, says RSPCA as it questions microchipping success

Thousands of pet owners have yet to get their animals fitted with a digital chip or are failing to keep records up to date a year after the rules came into force.

With the animal welfare charity still witnessing abandoned animals coming through its rescue centre doors without being chipped, it now believes that the Government should bring back the dog licence.

Dog licences were phased out 30 years ago, largely because they were ignored by huge numbers of irresponsible owners.

The same lack of responsibility is leading the RSPCA to question whether dog ownership rules should be ratcheted up on the first anniversary of compulsory microchipping.

Although the charity says it welcomed obligatory microchipping – backed by the threat of fines – for ensuring that lost, stolen and missing dogs can be returned to rightful owners, it still has reservations about the scheme.

Besides issues about owners keeping chip details updated, there are also concerns that some people are ignoring the rules because they believe the likelihood of getting caught is minimal.

RSPCA dog welfare expert Sam Gaines said today: “While we welcome compulsory microchipping and it is undoubtedly helping reunite dogs and owners, compliance and enforcement issues surrounding the compulsory microchipping legislation remain.

“There are also many issues which compulsory microchipping does not address and that is one reason why the RSPCA maintains its view that dog licensing is the right way to go.

“A dog licensing scheme has the potential to generate money that could be used to help improve dog welfare and tackle the issues around irresponsible dog ownership.”

The leading animal welfare charity is calling for a joined up strategy to manage social and animal problems associated with dog ownership underpinned with funds from dog licences.

Ms Gaines: “This would mean that dog owners would contribute to costs derived from dogs, funds which are currently lacking from central and local Government.

“It could fund resources for a whole host of issues including dog health and welfare, antisocial behaviour involving dogs, dog bite incidents, stray dogs, population issues and risks to human health.”

The RSPCA points to the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw in Calgary, Canada, which requires all cats and dogs to be licensed with the revenue generated being used to deliver programmes and services including dog safety, public awareness and education.