Mr. Conor Dowling:

That is the problem. If the information they provide is false, they cannot necessarily be identified and then it is up to the implanter to ensure the data and the information he or she is extracting from the person who is presenting the dog is accurate and complete. There is no mechanism for the imposition of fines. There is provision under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 for the imposition of fixed penalties but there is no mechanism in place for same. There should be something similar to the dog licence system in place whereby somebody who has a dog that is not microchipped could be presented with a prescribed notice requiring him or her to send details of a microchip to a certain place and if he or she does not do that then a fine could be imposed on foot of that. There is no such mechanism in place. Although ISPCA inspectors are authorised under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, if we encounter someone who has a dog that is not microchipped we will tell them it is a legal obligation to do so but we cannot enforce it.