A Wiltshire dog owner has been fined hundreds of pounds after failing to update the details on the database for their pet's microchip.
Violet Cooper, 38, from Dilton Marsh, Westbury, failed to appear at Salisbury Magistrates' Court on Thursday, May 22 and the case was heard in her absence.
She was found guilty of failing to comply with a notice requiring her to update her dog's ownership details on the microchip database within 21 days. She was fined £220 and ordered to pay costs of £539.59 to Wiltshire Council and a victim surcharge of £88.
According to Wiltshire Council, a Chow Chow type dog was found by a member of the public in Penleigh, Westbury in August 2024. With no owner present, it was taken it to a local veterinary practice.
The dog was wearing a pink collar, but it did not have the name and address of the owner inscribed or on a plate or badge attached to it.
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When scanned, the dog was found to have a microchip, but there were no details registered on any of the approved databases.
As no owner could be immediately located, Wiltshire Council's Dog Warden team were contacted by the veterinary practice, and it was requested it be collected as a stray dog.
Ms Cooper attended the veterinary practice looking for her dog at the same time as an officer arrived to seize the dog as a stray.
Ms Cooper provided her details and address to the officer, who was satisfied she was the current keeper of the dog, Juliet.
She was issued with a microchip improvement notice requiring her to update the details on Juliet's microchip within 21 days, but failed to do so, and the registered details continue to be incorrect.
It is a legal requirement for pet owners in England, Scotland and Wales to microchip their cats and dogs and ensure the details stored on it are up to date. Failure to do so could lead to a prosecution and fine.
Microchipping enables authorities to establish ownership of the animal and helps reunite stray pets with their owners. Updated microchips also act as a deterrent to pet theft and give vets and officials the ability to easily contact an owner in an emergency.
Cllr Paul Sample, cabinet member for waste, climate emergency and environment, said: “Microchipping a cat or dog is a permanent way of identifying your pet if they get lost or stolen. If your pet goes missing, our officers can scan the microchip and get them home safely.
“It became compulsory by law for all dogs to be microchipped in April 2016, and for cats in 2023.
“Ms Cooper has been given lots of opportunities to update the information on her dog's microchip and comply with the law but chose to ignore the issue.
“Hopefully, this outcome will act as a costly reminder to all dog or cat owners to ensure that their pet is microchipped and that details on the chip are up to date. We will not hesitate to prosecute those who fail to comply.”
Wiltshire council adds that for microchip data to be useful, the details recorded must be up to date.
Therefore, owners who move house, or even change their mobile telephone number should remember to ensure their dog's microchip details are updated.
Incorrect or out-of-date information means that your dog is not legally considered as microchipped.
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