Microchips hand-out to cut rising numbers of Rotherham stray dogs

Stray dog hotspots and people in social housing will be prioritised under the scheme, which Rotherham Council is running with the Dogs Trust charity.

The trust says Rotherham is in the top 20 boroughs for the numbers of stray dogs being destroyed, partly because of a trend for owning  “status” dogs like rottweilers and pit bulls, which later become unwanted.

Rotherham Council receives 1,500 reports of stray dogs every year.

Safer neighbourhoods manager Mark Ford said: “While most owners of these types of breeds take a responsible approach, there are a minority who obtain a dog for its street status and tend not to look after the welfare of their dog to standards expected.

“The consequence of this, together with reduced available household income, has led to an increase in the destruction of dogs seized.”

The Government has announced that microchipping will be mandatory in England from April 2016. Currently, all dogs must, by law,

Currently the law requires all dogs, when outside, to wear a collar and tag inscribed with the owner’s name and address.

A Pets Policy is also being drawn up for Rotherham tenants with extra advice about issues like noise, cleanliness of gardens and strays.

A similar policy was drawn up with Hartlepool Council, where all dogs in social housing now must be chipped.

The council there has since seen dog related complaints drop by more than two-thirds. The number of strays reunited with owners has risen from 23 per cent to 41 per cent.