Current status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 22 January 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what penalties will be available if a dog owner (a) fails or (b) refuses to have their dog microchipped after April 2016.
The Microchipping of Dogs (Scotland) Regulations 2016 have been considered by both the Delegated and Law Reform Committee, on 15 December 2015, and the Rural Affairs, Climate Change Committee, on 20 January 2015. They will be considered by the Scottish Parliament in due course. If approved, from 6 April 2016 any keeper whose dog is found to be without a microchip may be served with a notice requiring them to have that dog microchipped within 21 days. Failure to comply with such a notice will be an offence, punishable on summary conviction by a fine of up to £500 (level 2 on the standard scale).