Dogs: Microchipping

Lord Renton of Mount Harry Excerpts

Wednesday 8th February 2012 Lords Chamber

[The Countess of Mar]

My Lords—

[Lord Renton of Mount Harry]

My Lords—

[Baroness Anelay of St Johns]

My Lords, I think that the mood of the House is that the noble Countess, Lady Mar, has been waiting. Perhaps my noble friend Lord Renton might speak after her.

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

This is certainly a proposal that we are looking at, and I thank the noble Countess for her contribution.

[Lord Renton of Mount Harry]

My Lords, perhaps I may suggest to my noble friend that the Government consider very carefully before insisting on the compulsory microchipping of dogs. Many dogs take badly to having a chip in them; they get very sore and so forth. Surely anyone who cannot control a dog should not have one; that should be the course.

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

I am not sure that the respondees to the consultation share my noble friend's view on the matter, and I am not sure that the Government share it, either. We see microchipping as one measure we can take to address an increasing problem. The cost of stray dogs is something that we have discussed. The human cost of dog attacks is another matter that the House should bear in mind in considering these measures.