A requirement for pet owners to microchip their dogs will be at the heart of the UK Government’s animal welfare proposals, according to Vice Chairman of the Labour Party, Ian Cawsey.

The microchip, which would be about the size of a grain of rice, would contain a barcode linking to a national database that stores the name, age, breed and health of the pet, along with the owner’s address and phone number.

The plan has receive backing from the Opposition. Andrew Rosindell, the Conservative Party’s animal welfare spokesman, says the requirement will help animal pounds that are overcrowded with strays.

According to The Dogs Trust, the number of stray dogs found in Britain is increasing.  There were 108,000 between April 2008 and March 2009, which was up 11% on the previous year.

Owners who fail to have a chip implanted would face a fine or the possibility of having their pet taken away.