8th June, 2012
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association is calling for a change to the existing dog-control legislation, so that it would be compulsory for all dogs to be microchipped.
It would mirror the law that came into force in Northern Ireland in April of this year, under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, which says that all dogs north of the border must have a microchip.
ICSA Sheep chairman, Paul Brady said: “When the proposals first came to my attention, my initial thought was of marauding dogs attacking sheep. However, the threat from dogs is much deeper and sinister than just sheep worrying, as distressing as that is for sheep farmers. Microchipping helps local councils and wardens to deal with dangerous, out of control and possibly diseased dogs which pose a danger to everyone. In the last few months alone several children have been attacked by the likes of Husky dogs in Limerick, Clare, Donegal and elsewhere. We need a stronger regime of control which promotes more responsible dog ownership for everyone’s benefit.”
ICSA Leinster Vice President, Paddy Kent said, “microchipping is already used by all responsible dog owners for traceability – but it is also useful for the control of diseases. These include Toxocariasis and Neospora. Toxocariasis can cause a range of nasty symptoms in humans including blindness and epilepsy. Neospora, which is highly transmissible, causes abortion and early embryo loss in cattle and can be transmitted by unvaccinated dogs. This is stress and cost that could be avoided by making microchipping compulsory for every dog in Ireland.”
Mr Kent added, “this system would also need to be backed up with a well-organised, central database monitored by a State authority.”
Mr. Brady continued: “It is unacceptable in my view that dogs – which in more ways than one can be highly dangerous animals – are not subject to the same controls as cattle and horses. 10,000 dogs were put down in pounds across the country last year because their owners could not be traced. This number would be significantly reduced if each dog was microchipped and their owner’s details recorded in the database. We in ICSA are confident that those who truly value their pets and working dogs will view this ICSA campaign as a progressive initiative rather than as an imposition.”
