12 March 2007

Microchip lures Levi home

A Ponsonby Rottweiler, who was found miles from home in south Auckland after more than four months on the road, has been reunited with his family thanks to a microchip. The Haurua family lost their two-year-old Rottweiler Levi in November last year and had given up hope of ever seeing their pet again.

But just last week, he was picked up by an animal control officer in Papakura who was able to identify him because he had been microchipped.

Auckland City Council service requests manager, Jackie Wilkinson, says it is fortunate Levi was microchipped because it meant he could be quickly reunited with his family.

"This is a heart-warming story that highlights the benefits of microchipping - for a dog and its owners.

"Levi's collar with his registration tag had come off during his travels and the only way to identify him was through scanning his microchip," Ms Wilkinson says.

Levi's owners were phoned immediately and he was collected last week.

"They were ecstatic to have their beloved dog back and are so pleased that they chose to get Levi microchipped. If they hadn't, he might've been gone forever," Ms Wilkinson says.

New legislation was passed last year requiring all dogs being registered for the first time after 1 July 2006, to be microchipped.

This rule applies mainly to puppies and imported dogs. Other dogs will not need to be microchipped unless they: * have been classified as menacing or dangerous on or after 1 December 2006 * are unregistered and have been impounded * are registered and have been impounded twice since 1 July 2006.

Microchipping is a simple, lifelong way to identify dogs and link them to their owner.

Ms Wilkinson says microchipping a dog is simple procedure that aids the council's animal control enforcement.

"The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice. It is inserted into the scruff of the dog's neck. The chip will contain a number that belongs to your dog that can be matched to registration information on Auckland City Council's system.

"This not only increases the chance of you getting your dog back if it gets lost but also helps us to identify and keep track of problem or aggressive dogs, even if its tags have fallen off," Ms Wilkinson says.

For more information about dog microchipping you can collect a brochure from an Auckland City Council service centre.

ENDS

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