Life once microchipping is compulsory for dogs in the UK
Abstract
As of 6 April 2016, all dog owners in England, Wales and Scotland have to ensure their dogs have been microchipped and registered with a government-compliant microchip database.
Going forward, from 6 April 2016 all puppies must be microchipped and registered with a microchip database by the time they are 8 weeks old. Anyone who does not have their dog microchipped after 6 April 2016 will have 21 days to have the dog microchipped, and failure to do so may result in a fine. It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that contact details for the dog/dogs are kept up to date to ensure a dog can be reunited with its owner in the event that it is lost or stolen.
Present in regulations for Scotland and Wales.
Present only in the Welsh regulations.
Scotland only.
The same fines apply across all three sets of regulations for dog owners. The fine for someone illegally implanting microchips into dogs is £2500 in Scotland and £500 in England and Wales.
Scotland also has a specific offence (£500) for providing false information to database operators. In England and Wales owners transferring keepership would be in breach if they have provided false information.
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