AM backs campaign for compulsory microchipping with a chip-van visit to the Welsh Assembly
OVER 12,000 stray dogs were collected in Wales in the last year, and the number of strays put to sleep rose from 269 in 2008 to 634 in 2009 - a rise of 136 per cent. Now, Mid and West Wales AM, Joyce Watson, is backing a campaign by Dogs Trust to introduce compulsory microchipping in Wales.Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, believes the most effective and humane way of reducing stray dog numbers in the long-term is through microchipping, alongside education and neutering.
On Wednesday (23rd September), Joyce invited the charity to park their campaign ‘chip van’ outside the National Assembly for Wales to highlight the issue and to canvass support for the introduction of the scheme.
Joyce, who is the Labour Party spokesperson for Rural Affairs in the Welsh Assembly, has tabled a statement of opinion calling on the Assembly Government to support the campaign. She said:
“The introduction of compulsory microchipping would enable lost, straying or stolen dogs to be reunited promptly with their owners, and it would significantly reduce the workload of all those dealing with stray dogs and reduce kennelling costs.
“The technology would also improve dog welfare; allowing puppies bred on puppy farms to be traced to their source and allowing authorities to trace racing greyhounds to their owners whilst they are racing and once they retire.”Recent research carried out by Dogs Trust shows that 94% of Local Authorities and 93% of vets are in favour of compulsory microchipping.
The Dogs Trust ‘chip van’ began its countrywide tour in July, and has been travelling the length and breadth of the country calling on all dog owners, local authorities, vets and politicians to make a change and insist that all dogs should be microchipped in order to increase the number of stray dogs reunited with their owners.
Dogs Trust Chief Executive, Clarissa Baldwin OBE, added:
“This is the largest national increase since our records began in 1997. Previously we had seen a steady decline, but the latest statistics show a huge jump in the number of stray dogs both handled and put to sleep by Local Authorities. Some dog wardens mentioned the recession could have been an attributing factor to the increase, while others cited the change in the stray dog law last April."
For more information about Dogs Trust contact Krystyna McGrath, Dogs Trust Press Office, on 0207 833 7616, or email at Krystyna.mcgrath@dogstrust.org.uk
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