SINGAPORE: High tech hounds will roam Singapore come 1st September.

The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) in revising the Animals and Birds(Dog Licensing and Control) Rules will make it compulsory for each dog that is licensed from next month, to receive an ISO compliant microchip. This is to manage the dog population as it will discourage pet abandonment.

New dog owners when getting a license for the canine must submit documentary proof from a veterinarian to show that the dog has been microchipped.

According to the AVA, microchipping is a more effective and permanent identification system than dog badges. It is also a more reliable way to ensure traceability in the event of a health outbreak and at the same time, it would also help AVA to trace and return lost dogs to owners.

Dogs that have been licensed before 1st September will be exempt from the requirement, but owners are being encouraged to have their dogs microchipped nonetheless. The microchipping can be done at any veterinary clinic and costs from S$40 to S$80.

To control the canine population, the AVA has also changed the annual licence fee, setting it at S$70 for all unsterilised dogs, and S$14 for sterilised dogs.

As all dogs above 3 months of age must be licensed, the fine for people who keep unlicensed dogs will be raised.

Responsible pet ownership will also be reinforced with the maximum fine raised from S$500 to S$5,000, on people who allow their dogs to stray or who do not muzzle dogs that are required to be muzzled when in public (eg. the Rottweiller or Mastiff). Repeat offenders may be fined up to S$10,000. - CNA/sf