This taken from the BBC news website at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21345730
All dogs in England must be microchipped from 2016
Every dog owner in England will have to microchip their animal from 2016 under plans intended to cut a rise in strays.
The microchips will be coded with owners' details, and owners who do not comply could face fines of up to £500.
A legal loophole may also be closed, meaning owners could be prosecuted over an attack by their dog on private land.
The RSPCA welcomed the proposals, but said it doubted that they alone would "make owners more responsible or ensure fewer dogs bite people".
Government figures reveal that more than 100,000 dogs are dumped or lost each year, at a cost of £57m to the taxpayer and welfare charities.
Ministers hope the change in the law will help reunite owners with lost or stolen pets and relieve some of the burden on animal charities and local authorities.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21345730
All dogs in England must be microchipped from 2016
Every dog owner in England will have to microchip their animal from 2016 under plans intended to cut a rise in strays.
The microchips will be coded with owners' details, and owners who do not comply could face fines of up to £500.
A legal loophole may also be closed, meaning owners could be prosecuted over an attack by their dog on private land.
The RSPCA welcomed the proposals, but said it doubted that they alone would "make owners more responsible or ensure fewer dogs bite people".
Government figures reveal that more than 100,000 dogs are dumped or lost each year, at a cost of £57m to the taxpayer and welfare charities.
Ministers hope the change in the law will help reunite owners with lost or stolen pets and relieve some of the burden on animal charities and local authorities.