MAN'S best friend will be around a lot longer, thanks to a pioneering microchip service for dogs.
Instead of a bone, canines in Newton were treated to the latest technology to prevent pets from straying in a pilot scheme launched on Thursday.
Owners were invited to have their pets micro tagged at Earlestown Market in the new initiative by St Helens Council, the Dogs Trust and RSPCA aimed at keeping dogs safe.
Every year more than 400 stray dogs are rescued across the borough and many cannot return home because the owner cannot be traced.
The chip, costing nine pounds, the size of a grain of rice, was quickly implanted and carries a unique number that is recorded on a national database.
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