The short answer is YES!
Your dog does need to be microchipped in the UK. (It’s a legal requirement) As of 6th April 2016 all dog owners who have not had their pets microchipped could face a fine of up to £500. All dogs in England, Scotland and Wales are now legally required to have been chipped by the time they are eight weeks old. Under the new measures all owners must ensure their dog is microchipped and their details are kept up to date. Not only will this mean the UK’s 8.5 million dogs can be returned to their owners more quickly if they wander too far from home, but it will also make it easier to track down the owners of dogs that carry out attacks on people.
What are microchips?
When a dog is microchipped, a tiny chip about the size of a grain of rice is inserted under the loose skin on the back of its neck, giving it a unique 15-digit code. If a dog is lost or gets stolen and is picked up by a council or a dog shelter, the microchip can be scanned and matched to contact details stored on a database. Charities such as the Dogs Trust, some local authorities and some vets will microchip dogs without charging. The main goal of microchips is to make it easier and quicker to return dogs to their owners and save them fees for unplanned stays in kennels.
Do I still need a Dog Tag?
The new law will not replace current requirements for dogs to wear a collar and tag with their owner’s name and address when in a public place. You must always ensure that your dog has a collar and dog tag.