[shillelagh]

The old dog licence was 37 1/2p every year .. can remember having to go and buy it at the post office when we had ours.

Now i can see the good and the bad in this ..

Good: Dogs will be chipped so if it ran away then it would be able to be returned to its owners if found and wouldnt get any more i've lost my dog etc .. If a dog attacked someone in the street they'd be able to find its owners if they've managed to catch it etc and take them to court for keeping a dangerous dog. Insurance for the same reasons as the last sentence.

Bad: How many dogs will be chucked out of their owners cars on the bypass or motorway because they cant afford to chip them or pay for insurance? Thus being a very big hindrance to farmers who may have sheep or cows in a field especially at lambing season. For the pensioners who may have a little dog to keep them company who might only go out twice a day for a walk round the block... they might not be able to afford the cost of the insurance .. they can afford dog food .. they might have it chipped but the cost of insurance may be just too much for them.

Then theres always one lot who will keep their dogs ... not insure them not have them chipped or pay a licence fee .. and theyre the ones who's dogs cause trouble as they've not trained them properly.

Think the RSPCA, PDSA and Bleakholt will definately be quaking in their boots round here .. as we arent that far from manchester .. and people bringing and dumping their dogs around here as it isnt that far just 30 miles down the motorway ...