New microchipping laws will mean that owners not complying will face sanctions against them.
All horses, ponies and donkeys born from July 2009 must be microchipped to comply with current microchipping regulations, but as of October 2020 the new law will come into effect stipulating that it will be mandatory for all owners to have their equines microchipped.
Jeanette Allen, Chair of The British Horse Council, said “This new legislation has the full support of the British Horse Council. We have been working closely with Defra and this achieves the important step of requiring all equine animals to have a microchip.”
There will be a new Central Equine Database which will allow local authorities and the Police to trace owners of dumped or neglected horses. Animals will receive the care they require and the authorities will be able to trace owners and prosecute where necessary. It will also mean that any horses that are lost, stolen or stray from home will be able to be united with their owners quickly.
The Central database will log all equines, including those still requiring a microchip. It is hoped that by introducing the new legislation equine welfare will be addressed and rehoming animals should become easier.
Charities have been welcoming the changes, RSPCA Assistant Director of External Affairs, David Bowles said:
We are delighted that regulations to ensure horses of all ages should be microchipped are set to become a reality. The RSPCA rescued almost 1,000 horses last year (2017), and a huge majority were not microchipped making it virtually impossible to trace the owners. Heartbreakingly our inspectors are frequently faced with horses which have been dumped whilst very sick, dying, or sometimes even dead.”
DEFRA will be working closely to highlight the regulation changes with the British Horse Council and vets. The law will come into effect from October 2020, which will allow horse owners time to comply with the regulations. The procedure will cost £25-£30 and can be done on routine visits by a vet.
