Micro-chip solution

I refer to the letter License The Dogs by Rosemarie Coleiro Sapiano to point out that dog licensing as it is today will not stop people abandoning dogs. Getting a licence for your dog today only protects the owner from getting an extra fine if the dog is reported for an offence, like biting someone, or barking constantly.

The government licence, as it is today, does not even help find a genuinely lost dog.

For the past decade or so no identity number tags have been issued by the government, so when a dog is found, the police cannot help trace the owner even though the licence has been paid up to date.

Reintroducing number tags would not solve the problem of abandoning dogs, as nobody would be stupid enough to abandon his dog still wearing an identity tag! A micro-chip is the only solution. A deadline has to be set where all dogs have to be micro-chipped. Individuals owning more than a few dogs could be given a longer deadline to spread out the cost, which is about Lm12 per dog.

Needless to say farmers will probably be the most hit should this law be passed. What I suggest is that all farmers would be given an option of either the micro-chip or neutering their dogs and having them tattooed instead over the next five years. In their case the micro-chip law will be enforced in 10 years time on dogs not tattooed. In this way, at least, the litters of puppies will be controlled.

Unfortunately with all the pedigrees for sale, it is becoming harder and harder to find homes for mongrels even though they are lovely strong dogs.

Malta's stray dog problem will be solved in just a few years if the micro-chip law is enforced and the people are educated to either neuter their pets or at least be responsible owners and keep them off the streets.

Let us all work together to stop the cruelty! Abandoning a dog is cruel and should be made a crime with a hefty fine and punishment.