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ICSA welcomes announcement of microchipping regulations

Mar 28, 2013 | Press Releases | 0 comments

28th March, 2013

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Agriculture that he intends to introduce new regulations requiring all dogs to be microchipped.  

ICSA national sheep chairman Paul Brady said, “ICSA has being campaigning for compulsory microchipping for over ten years.  I am delighted that the Minister has taken our concerns on board and taken this important step in promoting responsible dog ownership.”

“From our point of view, this measure will go a long way towards tackling the problem of out-of-control dogs attacking flocks of sheep.  There has been a number of horrific attacks on sheep recently – all the more distressing given that lambing season is well underway.  It is often all too easy for dog owners to simply turn a blind eye to the fact that even cherished family pets can and do turn into dangerous marauders, decimating flocks and inflicting savage injury and stress on the remaining sheep.  Making sure that dog owners will be held accountable if their pet carries out an attack on vulnerable sheep through the microchip will encourage responsible ownership and will certainly be helpful in reducing the risk of attacks.”

“However, the threat from dogs is much deeper and sinister than just sheep worrying.  Microchipping helps local councils and wardens to deal with dangerous, out-of-control and possibly diseased dogs which pose a danger to everyone.  ICSA is confident that dog owners who truly value their pets will welcome this as a positive, progressive initiative with benefits for the dogs, their owners and the wider community in terms of safety and traceability.  However, enforcement will be crucial.  I would also be urging the Minister to bring this into force as quickly as possible, and to ensure that the cost is kept to the absolute minimum for households,” Mr Brady concluded.

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