Promoting Responsible Dog Ownership in Scotland: Microchipping and other Measures. An Analysis of Consultation Responses

1. Introduction

1.1 This is a report of the findings of a public consultation that the Scottish Government undertook in early 2014 on 'Promoting responsible dog ownership in Scotland: microchipping and other measures'. The consultation ran from 27 December 2013 and closed on 31 March 2014. A responsible dog ownership summit was also held in Edinburgh on 27 March 2014. The summit provided an opportunity to learn how agencies in some locations are making use of existing powers and to hear the views of agencies and organisations with an interest in public safety, animal welfare, and dog ownership.

1.2 In Spring 2013, the UK and Welsh Governments announced that microchipping of all dogs will be compulsory in England (from April 2016) and in Wales (from March 2015).

About the consultation

1.3 The 'Promoting responsible dog ownership in Scotland: microchipping and other measures' consultation document contained 27 questions, 20 of which were a combination of closed (tick-box, and / or numeric) questions and open (free text) space for comments. The questions focused on:

• The current situation in Scotland with respect to microchipping: Qs 1-3
• Potential benefits of microchipping: Qs 4-8
• Potential challenges of compulsory microchipping: Qs 9-15
• Potential business / financial impacts of microchipping: Q16
• Overall views about compulsory microchipping in Scotland: Qs 17-19
• Other possible measures to address the issue of responsible dog ownership (licensing, muzzling): Qs 20-21
• Dog fouling: Q22
• Other comments: Qs 23-27.

1.4 The consultation was publically available on the Scottish Government website. In addition, a link to the consultation was sent directly to over 400 organisations and individuals who had previously registered an interest in dogs. A Scottish Government press release was issued when the consultation was launched, and this was picked up in a significant number of press articles on dangerous dogs and responsible dog ownership, including in the national press and on TV and radio.^[1]