Lexington County’s New Dog Microchipping Law Sparks Debate

Lexington County’s New Dog Microchipping Law Sparks Debate

Hey there, Lexington! It looks like the doggos in our town might soon have something new to wag their tails about—microchips! That’s right! Recently, a new law has been put into the spotlight, which is requiring dog owners in Lexington County to microchip their furry friends. Sounds helpful, right? Well, not everyone thinks so.

What’s the Law All About?

This whole microchipping frenzy kicked off when the Lexington County Council passed an ordinance back in May, aiming to keep more pets from ending up at the county shelter. It seems to be a solution to the growing number of abandoned and stray animals we’ve been seeing around. Unfortunately, that’s led to some pretty concerning statistics—168 cats and a whopping 1,666 dogs were euthanized just last year! That’s a struggle that no one wants to face.

Just to clarify, if all the little towns in Lexington County want to continue receiving animal control services, they’ll have to fall in line with this new ordinance. The only towns getting a free pass on this are West Columbia and Cayce since they’ve already got their own animal control help.

Local Voices: Opinions and Pushback

At an August town council meeting, council member Gavin Smith didn’t hold back on his feelings about the law, calling it “absolutely gross government overreach.” He raised concerns about the financial side of things, highlighting that implementing an entire animal control division might not be the best move for the town’s wallet. “Unfortunately, I think we have no choice,” he lamented.

Despite the pushback, Brittany Jones, who runs Lexus County Animal Services, is standing firm on the need for this microchipping initiative. She explained that “the main reason for the county to do that change in ordinance is simply because of how many animals come in as strays.” Many owners don’t even know their pets are lost or haven’t been claimed after straying. As the population of abandoned pets continues to grow, the county believes that if more pets were microchipped, it would become easier to reunite them with their worried owners.

How Does It Work?

You might be wondering, “How does this whole microchipping thing go down?” Well, it’s actually pretty straightforward. The chips, which are the size of a grain of rice, are usually inserted right between the shoulder blades of the pet. Once a dog is scanned at the shelter or by our animal services when they’re found wandering, the info pops up. This includes their owner’s name, phone number, address, and even where the chip is located. On a side note, these chips can’t track your pet’s location in real time, so don’t get your hopes up!

For anyone worried about the procedure possibly harming their pets, there’s good news! If a vet thinks the procedure might be risky for your four-legged friend, pet owners can snag an exception by filling out a form, keeping things safe and sound.

Looking Ahead

Currently, our local shelter is feeling the strain with over 433 animals—a mix of dogs, cats, and even some livestock, since the start of the fiscal year. Thankfully, they’re working hard to manage things, but with only 64 individual spaces available for dogs, it’s clear that something has to change. The hope is that this microchipping ordinance cuts down the number of abandoned pets and keeps our beloved furry companions safe and at home.

So, folks, there you have it! The push for microchipping is a hot topic here in Lexington, and it looks like the next town council meeting on September 3 will showcase even more discussion about this crucial law. Time will tell how this all pans out for our canine companions. Make sure to stay tuned for updates!