Free microchipping for dogs is being offered ahead of a change in the law from April 6 ruling that all dogs must be microchipped.

Failure to microchip a dog could result in a fine of up to £500.

Uttlesford District Council, in partnership with vets Mercer and Hughes, is hosting a number of sessions as part of the council’s February campaign, to promote responsible dog ownership.

A microchip is a small electronic chip, around the size of a grain of rice, implanted under the dog’s skin with a unique number that can be read by a scanner.

The dog owner’s contact details relating to each number are logged on a central database, so should the dog ever go missing or be stolen it can be scanned by the authorities and returned to the owner. Dogs still need to wear a collar and tag in public pages with the name and address of the owner.

Councillor Susan Barker, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “It costs taxpayers and charities millions of pounds a year to deal with lost and stray dogs so this new law will not only reduce costs but will reunite dogs with their owners more quickly.

“We are publishing a new information leaflet of advice for dog owners, available at the microchipping events and to be included in all new puppy packs provided by Mercer and Hughes.

“The council is also stepping up its enforcement against dog fouling. There will be regular patrols at known hotspots in the district and fixed penalty notices issued to anyone caught. Posters carrying the message to bin dog mess responsibly will be displayed across the district.”

For more information or advice on responsible dog ownership, contact dog warden, Sue Knight on sknight@uttlesford.gov.uk or 01799 510510, or visit www.uttlesford.gov.uk/responsibledogownership