Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 7:26 am Post subject: Working dog people not interested in Tattoo Identification?
Having read so many heartwrenching stories of dogs being stolen, particularly working dogs, I decided to organise a Tattoo session next week in Mid Sussex. We have lots of shoots around us, and I had expected to be inundated by people wanting their Labradors and Spaniels done before the shooting season starts in earnest. To my surprise the working people do not seem interested at all. I just wondered why. After all, you work your dog with no collar on, they often disappear from sight, near a footpath sometimes, hunting for birds. And that is before you consider the valuable working dog being stolen from a vehicle or kennel. Why would a permenant, visible, form of ID not be a good idea?
I have enough people to make the session viable, but most of these are pet people, or "mainly pet but do a bit of light shoot work" people.
Katy- are there any advantages to having a tattoo if they are already chipped? I've always had dogs/cats chipped and presume the same thing applies to tattoos as chips i.e. someone has to look for them/scan them
Katy- are there any advantages to having a tattoo if they are already chipped? I've always had dogs/cats chipped and presume the same thing applies to tattoos as chips i.e. someone has to look for them/scan them
I think the point being raised is that there is a lot of dog theft around, these are dogs working without collars on, an opportunist who can easily sell on a fully trained dog would see a tattoo when picking the dog up and know he/she is not going to be able to sell that one on so easily..... a chipped dog is not known to be chipped until scanned....
As I understand it, tattooing means a lot more in the eyes of the law. It indicates ownership of 'property', whereas a microchip can only be used to track an owner down when a dog has been surrendered. That is how it was sold to me anyway.
ETA all of mine have been done, and 6 at my house for my tattoo training 'party'. I think it's fair to say the dogs definitely noticed and were not particularly thrilled with the feeling, and yes there were yelps, but all (no matter how loudly they yelped) got over it for a hot dog sausage. So it can't have been too bad
Last edited by Dexterslab on Thu Sep 08, 2011 9:13 am; edited 1 time in total
Knowing how much thefts are such a snatch and grab job, having thought this over, I think in a way I'd rather they didn't know the dog was identified myself. Knowing that once they realise it will be dumped or worse. I suppose my mind says at least this way it will only come to light when possibly someone half decent and unsuspecting buys it in.
I do see the idea that the theif sees a tatoo, and immediately releases the dog and it gets found by someone who takes it to the police and all is well....
Its a hard one to call but personally I prefer chips. I don't think tatoo'ing is painful, persay, at all, Rio. I suppose to cover every base you do both...
Di
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The boys!
Read: Wylanbriar Dog Blog on the website: Updated! 1st February 12´!
I would get mine both tatoo'd. I don't know where tattooing stands in France though and am skint at the moment but I said to OH when someone on here was training and doing them for free to practise - I wish i lived nearer to them. For ms there is a benefit to having a chip and tattoo - grouse has a chip - my vet knows she has one, some days it comes up easily, Somedays it takes us 10 minutes to find! It seems to move tk much, would someone really take 10 minutes to scan a dog? My vet said he found a chip once in a dogs shoulder because it had moved so much. Grouses moves around her neck and has gone as high as almost under the back on an ear (right at the top of her neck).
Whilst I understand where you are coming from Di, I think if one had a sign 'dogs identified by tattoo' on a kennel or at home, like we have them on our cars for security protected cars it would help. Also a lost dog with a malfunctioning chip could take forever to track down.
I think it is a great idea and had only really found out more about tattooing through the post on here. I had originally been put off thinking 'it will cost a fortune and I wouldn't know where to find someone' but I think it is about £15 / dog. As for the pain side - to me it is worth it, lots of animals get branded - just think BCG jab, it's not pleasant but it's not going to be really painful, quick sting and your done.
Good luck with your tattooing buis. I hope you get more people on board.
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