STRAY dogs could become "chips" off the old block - just like Hugo in our picture.

Bolton councillors want all dogs to have an identity-chip inserted under the skin to keep tabs on the dog population.

Although it sounds a gruesome operation, it is painless for the animal and is completed in just a few seconds.

The Destitute Animal Shelter in Northolt Drive, Bolton, picks up hundreds of strays every year and has many of them micro-chipped to help in finding them if they should ever stray again.

Director Neil Martin is all in favour of "chipping" strays in a bid to trace owners.

He said: "The hi-tech chip is inserted under the collar and provides a reading, rather like a can of beans in the supermarket.

"It is quite painless for the dog, only a tiny pricking sensation.

"However ,it would be a vital step in combating the ever growing problem of strays if it were to be widely used."

The chip - about 1cm long and shaped like a grain of rice - is "injected" just under the skin of the dog between the shoulder blades by a hi-tech gadget.

When a scanner is then waved over the chip, it brings up a number which can be logged into the main computer - Petlog - to bring up details about the dog.

These not only include the name, address and telephone number of the owner but also important details about vaccinations and operations carried out on the animal such as whether it has been neutered and any ailments the dog suffers from.

Hugo, a cross Great Dane/Rottweiler, is one of the lucky ones - he has been found a loving home three weeks after he was found stray in Bolton.

But if he ever goes missing again, his new owner will be able to find him thanks to his ID chip.

Mr Martin said: "The advantage of the chip is quite obvious.

"We found one dog a few weeks ago and because it had a chip, the owner was contacted in just a few minutes.

"If only people would Identichip their dogs, we wouldn't be as full as we are.

"At the moment we don't even have enough room for a hamster."

The fight against irresponsible owners would also be strengthened by the chip.

He explained: "It would mean those people who just let their dogs wander off - possibly to get run over or suffer other harm - can be made responsible."

Chipping costs about £20 and is done by vets, the RSPCA and animal rescue shelters.

Bolton RSPCA branch administrator Kathy Kay praised the new initiative by councillors to ask for a national chipping scheme for dogs.

But she added that her organisation had been putting micro-chips in dogs and cats for six years, now totalling 50,000 animals a year nationally.

She said: "They are the best thing since sliced bread.

"There's no excuse for all the strays that are in this town.

"One way or another we can prevent them."

She urged pet lovers who could not afford to get their animals chipped to get a free identity tag from the RSPCA, based in St George's Road.

She added that RSPCA officers in Bolton had been swamped over the Christmas period with injured animals especially cats.

Officers and helpers have been taking unwanted and injured pets home to look after them because animal shelters are increasingly full.

Five cats from the same address were among animals taken in.

Mrs Kay said: "It's beyond a joke. After working at the RSPCA, we then have to go home and look after sick pussy cats.

"The sooner we get animals properly identified, the better."

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