Animals

Animals

Would you put a microchip in your dog? British dog owners may be forced to microchip their pets and take out insurance, part of a proposed crackdown on the country's dangerous canines.

The government's proposals are aimed at tackling the growing problem of aggressive canines being used to harass people. In a country where guns are tightly controlled and even carrying a kitchen knife can result in a prison sentence, animal rights experts and politicians say street thugs have turned to dangerous-looking dogs to threaten their victims.

Home Office Secretary Alan Johnson said there was "no doubt that some people breed and keep dogs for the sole purpose of intimidating others."

His proposals were largely welcomed by animal welfare groups, including the British SPCA, which said it had long supported chipping — primarily as a means of reuniting lost pets with their owners. The devices are described as "tiny microchips, about the size of a grain of rice, painlessly inserted into the back of the dog."

The chips are easily readable by scanners used by dog wardens and veterinarians.

A host of European countries — including Norway, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Italy and Portugal — have introduced mandatory microchipping rules in the past few years, with nary a raised eyebrow. France requires that some breeds either be chipped or tattooed. Even in countries where the practice isn't required, cities such as Berlin and Prague demand that dog owners chip their pets.

- Posted on March 10, 2010
Submitted by ToTo555 on Wednesday, 05/19/2010 - 13:12.

I would and i wouldn't. Let's look at both sides. If you did and ever lost your dog, you would probably be able to find it fast. It could be very useful. Now, let's look at the other side. It could be painful to your dog. It also might irritate them once in. It really depends on whether the owner wants to do it or not.

Submitted by basketballstar1622 on Wednesday, 05/19/2010 - 11:48.

Yes, I would put a microchip in my dog just in case he ran away or if someone stole him I would miss my dog. A shock collar would be a good idea too just in case he was an attack dog. Or if my dog got into my house I could use the microchip to see where he was and use the collar to tell him to get out.

Submitted by Code22 on Wednesday, 05/19/2010 - 09:54.

I would put not put a microchip in or on my dog. If a law was passed that you had to I would to keep her.

Submitted by Carmany on Tuesday, 05/18/2010 - 22:16.

I actually have a cute little dog named Mia and she has a microchip in her. Before I got her she already had a microchip in her. I am glad she does because if I were to loose her then there would be no way to find her and I would be devastated if I never found her. So I sudgest you put a microchip in your dog because if he/she got lost then you can find where he/she is by locating the microchip.

Submitted by Katiana_x3 on Tuesday, 05/18/2010 - 16:54.

I dont have a dog anymore but if i did have a dog again which i do want to have another dog.I think dogs should be chiped just incase they get lost or stolen.But they definetley dont deserve to get tattoed.What if they're alergic to the ink they can die from that do those people even think about those things.

Submitted by brittany_4567 on Tuesday, 05/18/2010 - 14:21.

Yes, I would agree with putting a microchip in my dog because it is harder to find them with a coller on and a coller can choke them. I heard this story from my friend that this dog liked to climb a tree and one day he went and climbed a tree and the girl told her to come down and she started to and her collor got stuck on the branch and the dog hung herself and died.