DOG owners have less than 10 months to microchip their pets.

A new law will come into force making it compulsory for all dogs in England and Scotland aged eight weeks and over to be microchipped.

The law is designed to ensure the owners of lost or abandoned dogs can be quickly traced.

It comes after a poodle-cross and her eight puppies were found dumped in an appalling condition in the Hampshire countryside earlier this year.

As previously reported a hunt to find the owners of the nine pooches was launched after the act of “extreme cruelty” that left them unable to stand, walk or see.

Now, the dogs, pictured above, have made a recovery and have found new homes but their previous owners are still at large.

Now vets are urging animal lovers to microchip their pet before the law is introduced on April 6.

While 80 per cent of dogs are already microchipped, the latest figures suggest another 1.8 million pets will need the procedure within the next 10 months.

It involves injecting a chip the size of a grain of rice between the dog’s shoulders.

The chip, which is designed to last the lifetime of a dog, can be scanned by a dog warden or vet if the dog is ever found after being lost, helping them identify the pet and look up the owner’s contact details which are stored on a central computer.

Dr Huw Stacey, director of clinical services at Vets4Pets, which has a clinic in Southampton, said the procedure is fast and painless.

He said: “If all owners microchip their pets it will make re-uniting lost pets and their owners a much easier process.

“But for the time being it’s important that dog owners are aware of the new legislation and have enough time to microchip their pet.

“A sterile microchip is inserted painlessly under the skin between the dog’s shoulder blades and takes seconds to complete, meaning a dog can be in and out of a practice within a few minutes.

“Dog rescue centres, dog wardens and vets scan every stray or unidentified dog that is presented to them. An owner’s details are kept on a central computer, resulting in a quick and happy reunion should a dog become lost.

"Owners must keep this information up to date."

“But owners must make sure that if they change their telephone number or move house that these details are updated on the central database; details of how to do this will be sent with the registration certificate.”