Chip your dog or face €5,000 fine
By Brendan Grehan
FROM TODAY all dogs must be microchipped or their owners could potentially face a fine of up to €5,000.
On Saturday April 1, The Irish Blue Cross mobile clinic will be stationed outside Maxi Zoo at the Arena Retail Park in Whitestown Way, Tallaght. On Saturday April 9, they will be outside Maxi Zoo in Liffey Valley and on Saturday, April 16, they will be outside Maxi Zoo in the Blanchardstown Retail Park.
A simple microchip can prevent the heartache of losing your pet? If the finders of a stray or lost pet are unable to locate his/her owners it may be put to sleep or re-homed elsewhere. A simple microchip can save a lot of owners’ upset and tears by identifying the pet and facilitating its return to its family home.
Dr. Bairbre Sharkey, Head of Veterinary Services at the Charity says that there is a steady uptake of dog microchipping at The Blue Cross’s Inchicore Clinic as more owners become aware of their duty under the new Microchipping legislation.
She told The Echo: “Approximately 40 per cent of our clients presently have their dogs microchipped, indicating there is some way to go to ensure that any time a pet goes missing we can return them to their rightful owner.”
Dr Sharkey says that the implications of having all dogs microchipped are huge. The number of dogs euthanised because an owner could not be found would be negligible.
Dr Sharkey added: “Our pets are valued family members and we urge all owners to microchip their dog as soon as possible! It is also extremely important to ensure your dog is registered with an approved database and the details are up-to-date. It is essential that owners remember to bring their photo id and a utility bill.”
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