New pet law a dog’s dinner

Vet, Will Lazenby, 61, described the legislation as unnecessary and unworkable and is calling on the Scottish government to create a single central database to avoid problems between databases.

He said: “The databases are supposed to talk to each other but sometimes don’t.

“I’ve keyed in the microchip numbers for dogs, including my own otterhound Hafflinn, whom I know to be chipped and registered. But the listing has come back as ‘no registration found’. It just shows you how much of a farce the whole thing is.”

The practice became mandatory in Northern Ireland in 2012 and will be compulsory in the rest of the UK from next week.

Owners who fail to microchip their pets will be given 21 days to comply with the law or be fined.

Mr Lazenby said: “If the chip is not registered on the database of one particular chipping company, by law the firm is supposed to tell you who to contact.

“That’s all well and good – if the information is available and the system is working.”

Amid concerns about multiple databases, one vet warned microchipping small dogs and puppies could kill them.

Richard Allport, a senior vet, said: “Most of the serious adverse reactions (including death) have been in puppies and small breeds.

“My advice to people who don’t want their dogs microchipped is to do nothing.”

However, the Dogs Trust, which supports the law, is offering free microchipping for owners.

Spokeswoman Catherine Dobbie said: “Owners shouldn’t be worried that there are a number of microchipping databases.

“They should be reassured that there are systems in place to protect them.”

The Scottish government said it has no plans for a single database.