XN000022-1996-11-14 — Page 3

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Announcing the commencement of the programme at a press conference today (Thursday), an AFD senior veterinary officer, Dr Dick Rubira, said the programme was implemented in accordance with the provisions of the Rabies (Amendment) Regulation 1996.

The regulation requires all dogs at rabies vaccination and licensing to be identified by the implantation of a microchip, which contains a unique identification number.

"This identification system is safe, accurate, permanent and tamper proof and will allow better management and control of dogs," Dr Rubira said.

"The next time your dog is vaccinated against rabies it will receive a second injection of a computer chip. The chip is the size of a grain of rice and is placed just under the skin at the base of the neck.

"The injection of the chip causes only mild discomfort at the time but provides permanent identification for the dog.

"The identification code on the microchip can be read by a scanner, which is passed over the dog. The record of the vaccination and identity of the keeper is stored in a separate government computer data base.

"If a dog is lost, it will be easier for the keeper to identify his pet and to be reunited with it. The system also enables the Department to identify and prosecute irresponsible dog keepers."

Vaccination and microchipping will be carried out at government kennels and rabies inoculation centres as well as authorised veterinary clinics and Royal Society for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) clinics.

The new regulation also imposes a licence fee of $70 for dogs vaccinated by a government officer and $40 for a dog vaccinated by an authorised person such as a veterinary surgeon. The authorised person will charge for his professional services in addition to the licence fee. The licence is valid for three years, when the dog must be revaccinated and licensed again.

Dr Rubira reminded all dog keepers to ensure that their dogs had been vaccinated, microchipped and licensed. Failure to do so constitutes an offence and the offender is liable to a maximum fine of $10,000.