Mandatory microchipping for all horses, ponies and donkeys proposed

New legislation has been proposed to tackle animal abuse. If parliament pass it, all owners of horses, ponies and donkeys will have to microchip their animals from October 2020, or be subject to sanctions from their local authority and/or a fine of up to £200.

The microchip data will be stored on a central Equine Database to enable identification of owners, so lost or stolen animals can be returned quicker and easier. It will also facilitate local authorities and police to identify owners who dump their horses so they can receive the appropriate punishment, and the animals can receive better care.

Animal Welfare minister Lord Gardiner said: “The Government shares the British public’s high regard for animal welfare and it is completely unacceptable hundreds of horses and ponies are left abandoned every year by irresponsible owners. That is why we have today laid new regulations in Parliament requiring horses to be microchipped. This will bolster the ability of local authorities and police to identify abandoned animals, ensuring these beautiful creatures receive the care they deserve and that those who mistreat them will face the consequences.”

Defra said: “We are working closely with vets and the British Horse Council to highlight the change in regulations, explaining horse owners have until October 2020 to make sure all horses are microchipped. This extra time will allow horse owners to combine microchipping with a routine visit to, or from, their vet with the procedure costing around £25 to £30.”

David Bowles, assistant director of external affairs at the RSPCA said: “We are delighted 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, and a huge majority were not microchipped, making it virtually impossible to trace the owners. Heartbreakingly, our inspectors are frequently faced with horses that have been dumped while very sick, dying, or sometimes even dead. We believe this extension of the current rules on compulsory microchipping will go some way to help find those irresponsible owners that abandon their horses as well as helping owners be reunited with their animals that have been stolen.”