Some 56% of dogs entering local authority pounds in 2024 were not microchipped, according to the Department of Agriculture’s dog control statistics report for 2024.

It is a requirement by law that all dogs born since 31 March 2016 are microchipped and the microchip must be registered on an approved database.

The report found that last year, 3% of dogs entering pounds were microchipped, but the microchip was not registered on the database. The Department said in the report that compliance with microchipping is an area that will require “greater focus in the coming years”.

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Unwanted behaviour was the main reason for surrender when dog owners were asked, according to the report.