Council tenants made to microchip their dogs

A MICROCHIPPING scheme for dogs will begin in January to curb the use of dogs as weapons.

If successful it could be rolled out across the country.

Wandsworth council is to make all its tenants and leaseholders attach microchips to their dogs in the first scheme of its kind.

It follows an announcement by Boris Johnson that he will work with London boroughs to draw up a plan to deal with dangerous dogs.

When Wandsworth sent 17,000 letters to tenants notifying them about the scheme nobody who responded opposed it. From 5 January, all new tenants must have their animals chipped as part of their housing agreement.

Existing tenants will have until June to act before enforcement action is taken.

Microchipping will be free and will be carried out by Wandsworth's dog unit.

The scheme aims to control dangerous dogs, reduce the number of lost and stray dogs and reduce anti-social behaviour. There are an estimated 4,000 dogs on the borough's estates and it is hoped recording ownership details on a database will help the council deal quickly with strays and take action against tenants who allow their dogs to cause a nuisance.

The pilot is being monitored by the RSPCA and if it is successful the charity will push for it to be extended nationwide.

A spokeswoman said: "We have been working closely with Wandsworth. We are hoping this may lead to the scheme being rolled out elsewhere." The council's executive member for housing, Martin Johnson, said: "The results of this consultation suggest the majority of residents recognise the dog database will be a valuable tool in promoting animal welfare and stamping out anti-social behaviour.

"Now if dog wardens come across a maltreated, stray or dangerous dog they will be able to take swift action. If people don't get their dog chipped, they will have to face the consequences."