Big Brother is watching ... dogs in the UK

London

-- Microchipping may become mandatory for dogs in the United Kingdom.

Proponents say the requirement will help stop the trade in stolen dogs and the use of dogs in violent crimes as well as reduce the number of stray dogs.

Local government officials also could use the information in the barcoded microchip -- pet name, breed, age, address, phone number and health information -- to reunite lost pets with owners.

In the United States, mandatory microchipping laws have been floated by local and state governments, but none have been successfully passed.