Obligation to microchip dogs3

1

Subject to a certificate issued under paragraph (2) or (3), from 6th April 2016 every keeper of a dog which has not been implanted with a microchip by that date—

a

which is older than 8 weeks; and

b

which is not a certified working dog for the purposes of section 6(3) of the Animal Welfare Act 20064,

must ensure that it is microchipped.

2

Paragraph (1) does not apply for as long as a veterinary surgeon certifies, on a form approved by the Secretary of State, that a dog should not be microchipped for reasons of the animal’s health.

3

Subject to paragraph (4), from 6th April 2016 a keeper who imports a dog must ensure that the dog is microchipped in accordance with paragraph (5) within 30 days of importing the dog unless a veterinary surgeon certifies, on a form approved by the Secretary of State, that the dog should not be microchipped for reasons of the animal’s health.

4

A certificate issued under paragraph (2) or (3) must state the period for which the dog will be unfit to be microchipped.

5

A dog is microchipped where—

a

a microchip which complies with regulation 4 has been implanted in the dog; and

b

the details set out in regulation 5 are recorded on a database by a database operator meeting the conditions set out in regulation 6.