Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice, is backing a Commons motion urging the Government to legislate for compulsory microchipping of dogs.

The proposal is backed by the Dogs Trust, RSPCA and other animal charities.

Speaking from Westminster, the MP said: "Councils pick up 97,000 stray dogs every year. Clearly, it is a huge problem and microchipping the dog population, over time, would offer a solution."

"People must be encouraged to look after their pets. Allowing them to wander off is simply not on."

Last year, the MP called for a review of the operation and effectiveness of the Dangerous dogs Act. In 2007 the NHS in England provided a total of 10,231 bed days to 4,574 patients admitted after being bitten or struck by a dog. The cost of treating people attacked by dogs is around £1.6m.

Note to Editors:

MANDATORY MICROCHIPPING OF DOGS: That this House is concerned that over 97,000 dogs are picked up as strays by local authorities annually; congratulates Speaking Out for Animals, the animal action club at Thorpe House School, Norwich for campaigning hard to promote the mandatory microchipping of dogs as a means of reducing the huge numbers of strays and for its work to promote responsible pet ownership; commends the Dogs Trust, RSPCA and other animal charities for microchipping all dogs at point of adoption; believes that microchipping should be compulsory for all dogs at the point of sale; and urges the Government to introduce legislation on the mandatory microchipping of dogs.