Dr Paul Hutchison National MP

6 November 2003

Microchips not the answer to dog attacks

National MP, Dr Paul Hutchison, says compulsory microchipping of dogs may be something for the future, but it's not the key now to preventing dog attacks.

"The purpose of the new dog laws is to lessen preventable attacks," says Dr Hutchison. "In forging ahead with the microchipping plan, the Local Government Minister has ignored the advice of the Select Committee which opposed universal microchipping."

"Microchipping is an evolving technology, with chips costing between $12 and $20. Insertion costs could be considerably more.

"While the Minister claims universal microchipping could assist with the return of more lost and stolen animals, and the better identification of owners, all dogs will still be required to wear collars and discs anyway," says Dr Hutchison.

"One of the major thrusts of the new dog laws is to clamp down on irresponsible owners who often don't register their dogs.

"The trouble with universal microchipping is that it places extra compliance costs on the majority of responsible owners.

"At this stage, the focus should be on better enforcement of the aspects of the law that will help prevent most attacks," says Dr Hutchison.

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