Churchill

Fears over puppy microchip plans

 

Image of a dog 27/04/2012

Plans to microchip puppies as part of the fight against dangerous dogs will hit middle-class pet owners but have little impact on illegally-bred animals, an MP has claimed.


Ministers hope the measures will help prevent attacks on members of the public by dangerous dogs.


But Conservative MP for North Wiltshire James Gray, speaking in the Commons, said criminals who breed illegal dogs were not likely to get their puppies microchipped.


He said it would result in a database full of "perfectly legal and decent, middle-class dog owners", many of whom will also have taken out pet insurance for their animals.


"It will not have any effect whatsoever on illegal dogs and their owners," he said.


Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said: "Obviously we can't legislate against every thug. It's the suffering of victims that we are trying to address in this package."


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