Cat owners could be handed a whopping £500 fine for failing to comply with a new compulsory microchipping law.
It comes as new Government legislation to introduce the law is being laid in Parliament today (13 March), and it’s setting out to make it easier for lost or stray pet cats to be reunited with their owners and returned home safely.
According to the latest data, there are currently more than nine million pet cats in England, and as many as 2.3 million of those are unchipped.
This means it would be very difficult to reunite them with their owners if they get lost or stolen.
Cat owners could be fined £500 under new ‘compulsory’ microchipping law / Credit: The Lucky Neko | krakenimages (via Unsplash)
But, under the new microchipping legislation being introduced today, cats must be implanted with a microchip before they reach the age of 20 weeks, so that their owners’ contact details can be stored and kept up-to-date in a pet microchipping database.
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All owners must have their cat microchipped by the cut-off date of 10 June 2024, and then those found to have not complied before then have a total of 21 days to have one implanted.
Failure to do this may mean they face a hefty fine of up to £500.
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The new rules follow a call for evidence and consultation on the issue by the Government back in 2020 and 2021, and from this, 99% of respondents expressed support for the measure – leading to the introduction of compulsory cat microchipping becoming a manifesto commitment, and an ‘Action Plan for Animal Welfare’ pledge too.
New Government legislation to introduce the law is being laid in Parliament today / Credit: Gustavo Fring (via Pexels)
Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, said she is “pleased” the Government is progressing with the requirement for all cats to be microchipped.
“Microchipping is by far the most effective and quickest way of identifying lost pets,” she added. “As we’ve seen with dog microchipping, those who are microchipped are more than twice as likely to be reunited with their owner.
“By getting their cat microchipped, owners can increase the likelihood that they will be reunited with their beloved pet in the event of it going missing.”
Teen arrested after hiding in wheelie bin following attempted burglary in Bolton
Emily Sergeant
A teenage boy has been arrested after police found him hiding in a wheelie bin during the early hours of the morning.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that, at around 3:50am this past Saturday morning (24 October), officers from the Bolton Neighbourhood Team were called to reports of a ‘disturbance’ on Ullswater Drive, in the Farnworth area of Bolton.
Upon arrival, police discovered that a group of people had attempted to break into a garden shed and steal items.
Following a police chase on foot and searches of surrounding gardens, officers found a 17-year-old boy hiding inside a wheelie bin, and he was subsequently arrested on suspicion of burglary.
A 16-year-old girl was also arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary, and they have both been bailed while the investigation continues.
Enquiries remain ongoing to identify and locate others who police believe to have been involved in the incident.
Sergeant Emily Fogg, from GMP’s Bolton Neighbourhood Team, said the boy ‘clearly did a rubbish job’ of hiding from police.
“Our policing teams are committed to rooting our criminality in our communities and will continue to seek justice for victims of this invasive crime,” Sergeant Fogg concluded.
Anyone with information the can assist the investigation is asked to contact police on 101, quoting the log number 475 of 24/10/26.
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National Lottery hunts for Tameside player who’s not claimed £1m winnings
Daisy Jackson
The hunt is on to find a National Lottery player in Tameside who’s won £1m – and not claimed it.
The missing millionaire won the huge prize on a Lotto ticket bought on Wednesday 1 July, somewhere in the Borough of Tameside.
But with just two months to go until the prize expires, the player has still not come forward to claim their winnings.
The winning numbers in were 5, 8, 26, 33, 39, 42 and the Bonus Ball was 54.
Now, the National Lottery is renewing its search for the millionaire, calling for the mystery winner to cash in their prize before it expires at midnight on 28 December.
National Lottery Senior Winners’ Advisor Andy Carter has been out in Tameside ‘hunting’ for the missing millionaire, visiting everywhere from Portland Basin to Hartshead Pike.
Andy said: “I’ve searched high and low across Tameside for our missing millionaire, but I’ve had no luck.
National Lottery hunts for Tameside player who’s not claimed £1m winnings. Credit: Anthony Devlin/Assignments/Press Association
“With just two months left to claim this £1 million prize, now is the time for anyone who bought a Lotto ticket in Tameside for the 1 July draw to have another look.
“The winning ticket could be tucked away somewhere completely ordinary, while its owner has absolutely no idea they are a millionaire.
“We’d love to find the person we’ve been looking for and turn this search into a celebration. So, if you bought a ticket in the area, dig it out, check those numbers and help us find Tameside’s missing millionaire. It could be you.”
With all National Lottery draws, players have 180 days from the day of the draw to claim their prize if they have the winning ticket. Anyone who has any queries or who believes they have the winning ticket for any of the National Lottery draws within the 180-day deadline should call the National Lottery Line on 0333 234 5050 or email [email protected].
Emily Sergeant -
13th March 2024 
