Dog identification

Rachel Agius (August 25) has written about the idea of dog tagging. This is the same as people carrying an identity card. However, if someone were to be without it he or she would be capable of giving an identity. Not so with dogs. Their owners could readily disown them if a problem arose. The only certain identification is by microchip. Every dog ought to be registered and microchipped.

As for certification of aggressive dogs, Ms Agius is rather naive to imagine that a vet can assess a dog's behaviour in one examination. The onus lies on the owner. It is true that sometimes a docile dog can explode into a fit of aggression but this is extremely rare, especially if the dog is unprovoked.

Again, the only way to ensure and enforce responsible ownership is by registration and microchipping. Tattoos are easily removed, usually snipped off by a sharp instrument.

Aggressive dogs should be banned by kennel societies and pedigree certificates cancelled. Responsible ownership and breeding is paramount in producing sociable canine behaviour. Education of the public in this respect is sadly lacking . Meanwhile, we are all waiting for legislation in registration and identification of dogs. One wonders what is cooking at the Animal Welfare Council. So far, it's anybody's guess.