Margot visits Lye to remind dog owners about new chip rules (From Stourbridge News)
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Margot visits Lye to remind dog owners about new chip rules
1:00pm Monday 11th March 2013 in News
Margot James MP at Black's Vets in Lye with nurses Ruth Wickens (middle) and Liz Jefferson (right)
STOURBRIDGE MP Margot James says dog owners would be barking-mad to ignore next month's new microchipping laws.
From Saturday April 6 all dogs will have to be fitted with a microchip which will allow animals to be identified if they go missing.
During a visit to Blacks Vets in Pedmore Road, Lye, Ms James met up with staff including Liz Jefferson, who has worked at the practice for 16 years and has been shortlisted for Nurse of the Year at the Veterinary Awards 2013.
Ms James said: "I was very pleased to visit Blacks Vets, both to see the important service provided by the surgery and to hear the professionals’ views on compulsory dog microchipping.
"I used to have a dog and one of the most important things I did was have her microchipped, both for her benefit and for my own peace of mind. I fully support the policy, which will help ensure that lost pets are reunited with their owners and hopefully encourage responsible dog ownership.”
Every year 100,000 dogs are lost or abandoned in the UK, costing charities and taxpayers £57m.
Microchipping will be available for free at any of the 18 Dogs Trust centres across the UK, and the Trust will also offer free microchips to local authorities, housing associations and veterinary surgeries.
Free microchipping will also be offered by the Blue Cross at their 16 hospitals and centres across England.
