Two More Dog Microchipping Schemes Introduced in London
Published on June 10, 2009 by K9 Magazine News Editor · 10 CommentsTwo more London boroughs are set to adopt Wandsworth Council’s successful dog micro-chipping scheme: Southwark and Lambeth are drawing up plans to make micro-chipping a condition of council tenancy agreements. The Southwark scheme will go to councillors in December and, if approved, will start in April 2010. The Lambeth scheme is currently out to consultation, and will go to councillors if the results are positive.
In Wandsworth it has been a condition of all council tenancy and leasehold agreements since January that dog owners chip their dogs. These details are then logged on a borough-wide database. Any owner who fails to get their animal chipped will be in breach of their tenancy agreement and could lose their home.
So far Wandsworth has micro-chipped 690 dogs, and registered a further 391 that were already chipped. This has made it easier to trace strays, crack down on dangerous dogs and reduce anti-social behaviour. There is evidence that some dog owners in the borough use ‘status’ dogs as weapons or as a form of intimidation. There have also been reports of sick ‘training’ sessions in which dogs are forced to hang onto trees or children’s swings by their teeth.
The expansion of the scheme is good news because the more boroughs that introduce microchipping, the more effective the scheme will be. In addition, if the scheme is widely adopted, it will put pressure on the Government to bring in a national registration scheme.
Wandsworth Council leader Edward Lister said a national scheme would be the most effective way to track strays and take action against dangerous dogs.
“We are not anti-dog because we know the vast majority of dog owners are responsible. However, there needs to be a method by which the owners of dangerous dogs can be found and dealt with.
“Registering the details of our own dog-owning tenants and leaseholders is a start, and it’s good news that other London boroughs are bringing in similar schemes, but a national scheme would be far more effective.”
The dog control unit has been running chipping sessions on the council’s estates to make the service easily accessible to all dog owners. The procedure is free of charge this year to all council tenants and leaseholders. Non-tenants and leaseholders can get their dog chipped for £10.
There will be another session on June 30 in Wandsworth Common. For details ring (020) 8871 6800 or email housinginfo@wandsworth.gov.uk
Find out more about chipping sessions, the microchipping scheme and the work of the Dog Control Unit at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/dogs
Highly Recommended: This could be the most important link you EVER click as far as your dog’s life is concerned – see why….!
Tags: lost dogs, Social Issues
Well done Wandsworth, Southwark and Lambeth for your Status Specific Scheme.
Why not just make all your tenants walk around wearing a badge that has ‘Council Tenant’ written on it and maybe consider herding them all into one area?
‘Wandsworth Council leader Edward Lister said a national scheme would be the most effective way to track strays and take action against dangerous dogs.
“We are not anti-dog because we know the vast majority of dog owners are responsible. However, there needs to be a method by which the owners of dangerous dogs can be found and dealt with.’
Nice one Mr Lister, what about the 40%+/- of dogs seized that have incorrect microchipping details, how does this equate to your grandiose scheme for dealing with stray dogs?
Owners of dangerous dogs? Any dog has the potential to be dangerous, is this a reference to continuing breed specific legislation being supported by these councils and their chums in the Metropolitan Police and RSPCA?
As comedian Al Murray says ‘you havent thought it through!’
“Wandsworth Council leader Edward Lister said a national scheme would be the most effective way to track strays and take action against dangerous dogs.”
Maybe if people stopped treating all owners of certain breeds as the scum of society they would seek help IF needed instead of staying as far away as possible!
I hear Wandsworth also want to charge owners of certain breeds in council properties a £500 fee to own such a dog! I wonder if the expenses fuss has made them feel like they are missing out?!
Hi Alison
Nice one!
Glad to see that I am not the only one who thinks that Wandsworth and chums have a vendetta against council tenants who dare to be dog owners too!
They are going for BSL via their own council regulations!
Who are the dog wardens at this council, do they support BSL?
this was in the paper, quote;
“It is against this background that the London borough of Wandsworth is calling for a rethink on the laissez-faire attitude towards dog ownership.
First, it has vowed to evict any council tenant who keeps a dog they fail to keep under control.
Second, it is liaising with other local authorities to lobby the Government to re-introduce a dog licence that would target all breeds considered potentially dangerous that are not currently classified under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
To qualify, the owner would have to pass a fit and proper person test, and pay a substantial annual fee that would help to pay for effective enforcement of the new scheme.
‘The problem is that just about anyone can own a dog,’ council leader Edward Lister explained.
‘That’s got to change. Most of the problems we have today are caused by young people aged between 13 and 17 who keep these menacing dogs yet have no understanding of the responsibilities of ownership.
‘With more and more unsuitable people acquiring animals that can generally be classified as ‘menacing’, the case for restoring the dog licence is overwhelming.’
And unlike the old licence – which cost more to administer than it raised – it would have very real ‘teeth’. Set at £500, it would introduce a minimum age for dog ownership and vet individual applicants.
‘Registration for new owners would be compulsory and enforced by dog control teams and the police working together,’ said councillor Lister.
‘Effective publicity would make everyone – owners and non-owners – aware of the new rules.
‘Very quickly, local councils could develop ownership lists which could be regularly updated.’
Without such radical steps the fear is that more people will be injured and killed, more animals maimed in sick ‘games’ and more lives ruined by out-of-control dogs and their thuggish owners.”
what breeds of dog would have to get this licence, it says dogs which aren’t covered by the dangerous dogs act,
‘what breeds of dog would have to get this licence, it says dogs which aren’t covered by the dangerous dogs act,’
Which is basically all dogs not on the current list, why not just say that they are calling for national dog registration on behalf of their mates the RSPCA?
Is this not similar less for the ‘£500′ license fee, to the call by the Coalition For Improved Dog Ownership Standards (C-fidos) for increased responsbile dog ownership through a dog owner test etc?
Frankie, I read online that this would be aimed at ‘menancing’ dogs, the examples given included the Stafford & Bull Mastiff
I heard the same although I seem to recall the wording as “other dangerous dogs not covered by the DDA”. What are those then exactly?!
What if you have a staffie cross? Will you need to contribute to Wandsworth councils xmas champers? What if your dogs a mongrel but clearly has some (not all
)bull breed characteristics? Do you need to help fund the parties then?
Wandsworth and all who support this idea really do need to stop throwing in the empty words of “no breed or type is inherently dangerous” etc when talking of their latest plans.
They arent anti BSL, they are pro BSL. For any Wandsworth people reading this BSL stands for BREED SPECIFIC legislation
Why should the owners of staffords or bull mastiffs have to pay £500 for a licence and be picked on like that?
What is that a one off paytment or £500 a year?
It should be one rule the same for everyone, wandsworth council must be pro BSL if they want to bring in a penanalty for specific breeds of dog just for being a specific breed of dog.
I thought they were part of that kennel club group which is suppose to be anti bsl, it is so confusing!!
Ahhh yes… The DDASG. They “look at the legislation”. Im pretty sure they literally do only that…look at it, see nothing has changed, finish their champers and go back home! Nothing to see here…move along everyone!
Hi Alison
You have hit the nail on the head, DDASG really are the chosen ones and their mates bringing out crap ideas, the Kennel Club is the secretariat for this group of muppets so what does that say?
Wandsworth council dog wardens should hang their heads in shame for being apparently supportive of BSL as well as the othewr councils who are supportive of it.