West Lafayette considers requiring stray pets to be chipped

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - An ordinance backed by the mayor of West Lafayette would require impounded animals to be implanted with identification microchips.

The Lafayette Journal and Courier (http://on.jconline.com/2amCyIo ) reports that owners of impounded animals would be required to have their pets chipped or pay a $200 fine under the county ordinance. Owners could recover their pets within four days, paying $10 for the first offense and $20 for each successive offense.

Crystal Creek Kennel volunteer Sharon Dull says Tippecanoe County spends more than $1 million each year on lost animals, including nonprofit contributions and taxpayer money.

Almost Home Humane Society executive director Stacy Rogers says microchips help the shelter return the animals to their homes as soon as possible. If animal control has a scanner in their truck, she says, some animals could be returned before it arrives at the humane society.

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Information from: Journal and Courier, http://www.jconline.com