David Amess

David Amess MP and his black Labrador Michael learn about the benefits of micro-chipping from Hannah Smith of the Dogs Trust.

David Amess, Member of Parliament for Southend West, recently joined with the Dogs Trust to encourage dog owners to use micro-chipping with the help of a mobile chip van. There’s no need to worry about the calories though as the only chips on offer were those that help reunite lost or stray dogs with their owners!

Speaking at the event David commented, “Reducing the number of unidentified strays on the streets would have a positive social impact and cut the threat of unnecessary destruction that sadly many pet dogs that go missing are faced with.”

Dogs Trust Chief Executive, Clarissa Baldwin explained their call for compulsory micro-chipping: “Nearly 97,000 stray dogs were taken in by local councils in the UK last year; 6,710 of which were put to sleep many because they could not be reunited with their owners. We urgently want to see these figures decrease and believe that micro-chipping can aid the process. Micro-chipping is an essential part of being a responsible dog owner. Last year alone microchips helped reunite 15% of strays with their owners– with compulsory micro-chipping the charity estimates that upwards of 50% could be reunited.”

Recent research carried out by Dogs Trust shows that 94% of Local Authorities and 93% of vets are in favour of compulsory micro-chipping as well as more than 88% of dog owners.

Micro-chipping:

• Enables lost or straying dogs to be reunited promptly with their owners – meaning less dogs will be put to sleep at council pounds
• Permanently identifies a dog in such a way that is virtually impossible to alter or remove - a clear advantage for dogs that are stolen
• Enables clear identification of the dog’s owner when prosecution is being considered for dog thieves and antisocial behaviour
• Reduces kennelling costs and save time
• Allow puppies bred illegally or inappropriately on puppy farms to be traced to their source

Dog owners can get their pet chipped at their local vets (at a reduced cost for those on means-tested benefits)