Dog owner fined as pet found with outdated microchip details

Kayleigh Shaw, 33, of McCormack Avenue, Parr was made to pay a total of £330 as she appeared at Merseyside Magistrates' Court.

Her pet had been seized as a stray in February of this year by St Helens Council’s Dog Welfare and Enforcement Service.

After reclaiming her dog from the service, Shaw was served with a notice under section 12(a) of the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015 requiring her to update its microchip details within 21 days.

Shaw failed to comply despite being served with a 'Final Opportunity to Comply' notice, which effectively gives owners an extra seven days to meet the requirements of the legislation.

She was fined £220, with costs of £80. She was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30.

Cllr Lynn Clarke, council cabinet member for environmental services, said: “This dog owner was given ample opportunity to comply with microchipping laws, but simply chose not to, resulting in these fines. It’s for the safety and security of dogs and the community that microchips are fitted and kept up to date if you move to a new house or change your phone number, and it’s an easy thing to do with your vet.”

To update the details for a dog’s microchip, go online, or do it by phone or by post or with a vet, depending on which database the chip is registered to.

Charges for updating your chip details vary across the microchip databases.

For those not sure which UK microchip database their chip details are registered with, can call any of the companies listed below and they will be able to offer advice.

• identibase 01904 487600

• PetIdentity UK 0800 9751960

• PetLog 01296 336579

• PETtrac 0800 652 8 977

• SmartTrace 01208 420999

• National Veterinary Database 0330 123 9924

• Protected Pet 0844 414 2262

• Animal Tracker 01279 219777