Are you the owner of a dog more than eight-weeks-old that has not been microchipped?

If you just said yes you are breaking the law.

From today ALL dogs over that age must be microchipped and registered on an authorised microchip database.

The new legislation has been introduced to tackle irresponsible dog ownership, illegal puppy breeding and curb the numbers of strays found on the streets.

The Mayhew Animal Home in Trenmar Gardens, Kensal Green, has teamed up with Brent Council to offer free microchipping for dogs at all ‘BARK in the Park’ events this year.

A list of events are here.

The animal charity will also give out vouchers for free Bull breed neutering to owners.

Lat year, 40 per cent of stray dogs that ended up in The Mayhew were not microchipped and of those that were 35pc did not have the owners’ updated contact details.

Zoe Edwards, animal welfare manager at The Mayhew, said: “Microchipping is cheap, painless and takes seconds to do..

“Many pet owners aren’t aware that it’s already the law to ensure a dog wears a tag with the owner’s contact details on its collar. The law goes one step further in April when having your dog microchipped will be compulsory.”

“A microchip is as small as a grain of rice and is the only permanent way of identifying a pet. It ensures that a lost pet can be reunited quickly with its owner.”

An owner that fails to microchip their dog faces prosecution and could be fined up to £500.

For more information visit themayhew.org.