The Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023

Interpretation

2.  In these Regulations—

“authorised person” has the meaning given by regulation 12;

“keeper” means—

(a)

in relation to an assistance dog (within the meaning of section 173 of the Equality Act 2010)(1)—

(i)

while the dog is training to work, or is working, as an assistance dog, the body responsible for the dog’s training and allocation;

(ii)

after the dog has ceased working as an assistance dog, the person with whom it normally resides;

(b)

in relation to a puppy which has not yet left its mother, the owner of the puppy’s mother; and

(c)

in relation to a cat or a dog not specified in paragraph (a) or (b), the person with whom the animal normally resides.

“local authority” means—

(a)

where there is a unitary authority, within the meaning of regulation 2(3) of the Local Government Changes for England Regulations 1994(2), that authority;

(b)

where there is not a unitary authority—

(i)

in a non-metropolitan county, the council of that county or the council of a district within the county area;

(ii)

in each London Borough, the council of that Borough;

(iii)

in the City of London, the Common Council; or

(iv)

in the Isles of Scilly, the Council of the Isle of Scilly;

“microchipped” means microchipped in accordance with regulation 3(4).

(1)

2010 c. 15. There are amendments to section 173 of the Equality Act 2010 but none is relevant to these Regulations.

(2)

S.I. 1994/867. Regulation 2 of the Local Government Changes for England Regulations 1994 was amended by S.I. 1995/1055, S.I. 1995/1748 and S.I. 1996/330.