Microchipping dogs low on city council's to-do list

New Government rules for the microchipping of dogs suffered a setback yesterday when the Auckland City Council voted to give low priority to the enforcement measures.

Councillor and dog lover Cathy Casey said microchipping would mean more costs to dog-owners and councils and more money for vets.

She said microchipping would not reduce dog attacks, nor help to track a dangerous dog. Auckland's dog attacks were cut by a third in the past five years by putting resources into the registration of the city's 16,809 dogs. The city now had a 99.9 per cent compliance for registration.

The planning and regulatory committee decided to tell the Government that it would give a "low priority" to the law that came into effect this month. Under the law, puppies and dogs coming into the country must be microchipped at a cost of up to $95. Working farm dogs are exempt.

Auckland City's animal control manager, Jackie Wilkinson, said "low priority" enforcement could mean a higher priority to ensuring dangerous or impounded dogs were microchipped.

Green Party MP Keith Locke said the law should be rescinded.