All dogs in Scotland will need a microchip, under planned changes to the law announced today (Wednesday March 4, 2015) by Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead.
Compulsory microchipping will help reunite lost or stolen dogs with their owners and allow authorities to directly identify dog owners and hold them accountable for their dogs’ behaviour or where there are concerns about animal welfare.
The move – which received overwhelming support in a public consultation last year – is due to come into effect in Scotland in April 2016, the same time as in England and Wales