In the 2024/25 Parliament, Rebecca Harris has introduced the Pets (Microchips) Bill, known as Tuk's Law, as the next step in the campaign to boost animal welfare and better protect pets.
With Rebecca’s assistance, this legislation was previously introduced by former Conservative MP James Daly and received significant cross-party support, before running out of parliamentary time. Rebecca is aiming to build on this important work and is hopeful that it will become law in this new Parliament.
Dame Rebecca has long supported that this law be introduced, after meeting her constituent Dawn Ashley and campaigner Sue Williams who raised the story of Tuk, a five-week-old Mioritic shepherd mistakenly identified as a stray and euthanised by a vet who failed to scan his original chip.
Everybody can agree that no pet should be put down without checking with the rightful owner and if there are other options for it to lead a healthy life in a different home. Also, threats to euthanise dogs have been used as tools of coercion in domestic abuse cases which is utterly despicable. That is why Rebecca is introducing the Pets Microchips Bill to give peace of mind to every dog owner that their beloved pets will never be put down without their consent.
Measures in the Bill mean scanning microchips must be carried out in accordance with the Code of Conduct and guidance issued by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, including guidance on client confidentiality and on microchipped animals. The Bill would also not enter force until the Secretary of State is content there is a fully operational microchip database and requires the approval of Parliament before any changes take place.
The full text of the Pets (Microchips) Bill can be found here: bills.parliament.uk/bills/3824
In the last Parliament, Rebecca served as the Private Members’ Bill Government Whip. This ensured legislation such as the Pet Abduction Act to make pet abduction a specific criminal offence, the Animal Welfare (Penalty Notices) Act which raises penalties for animal welfare offences to £5,000 and the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act extending the maximum animal cruelty offence to five years imprisonment passed through Parliament and became law.
SECOND READING DEBATE UPDATE:
The Bill was due to have its Second Reading debate in the House of Commons on Friday 24th January but this was objected to by the Labour Government, preventing the debate from taking place and stopping the legislation progressing to its next stage.
Rebecca is appalled that the Labour Government have blocked her Bill. This Bill would have given peace of mind to every dog and cat owner that their beloved pets will never be put down without their consent. Rebecca has promised to continue the campaign on this issue and to make sure this change rightfully becomes law.
The move was also condemned by the Shadow Secretary of State, Victoria Atkins MP, who has said that Labour should U-Turn on their decision to block the Bill for the sake of domestic abuse victims, survivors and their pets.
Rebecca will continue to campaign on this important issue so that this Bill progresses into law. This page will be updated with any further updates.