A recent article in the Associated Press explained that British dog owners may soon be forced to microchip their pets and take out pet 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 dogs being used to harass, attack and even kill. 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 cow their victims.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said the number of complaints about dog fights had soared 10-fold between 2004 and 2008, the last year for which figures were available. In 2009, London Deputy Mayor Kit Malthouse called for action on what he called "weapon dogs." His opposition Conservative Party says hospital admissions and court cases relating to dangerous dogs have soared.
The proposals were largely welcomed by animal welfare groups, including the RSPCA, which said it had long supported microchipping -- primarily as a means of reuniting lost pets with their owners.
It was unclear when -- or even if -- the controversial plans could become law. The proposals must undergo a consultation period (typically 12 weeks) which means they are unlikely to reach Parliament before Britain's general election, which must be called by June 3, 2010.
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. Mandatory dog insurance, regardless of the breed, is already in place in parts of Germany and Switzerland.
Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor
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