East Cowick woman fined for dog microchipping offence

An East Cowick woman must pay nearly £300 after failing to update the contact details on her dog’s microchip which would have cost her just £6.

Clare Childs, 45, of Lidgate, East Cowick failed to attend Beverley Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 21 December where she was facing a charge under the new Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015.

Magistrates heard how dog wardens from East Riding of Yorkshire Council had picked up Childs’ dog as a stray and when she attended the kennels to collect it, she was informed the details on the microchip needed updating.

Childs was served with a notice in July to update the chip and send three follow-up letters, officers visited her home and she was also received a written request to attend a formal interview, but still didn’t update the information.

The case was proved in her absence and she was fined £50, must pay costs of £200 and a victim surcharge of £30.

David Howliston, environmental control manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “Since April 2016, it is now a legal requirement for all dogs to be microchipped, which includes keeping the owners’ details up to date.

“In this case, had Childs updated the information when she was told about it, it would have cost her just £6 and would have avoided a large financial penalty.

“I would urge all dog owners to make sure the information on the chip is correct as it can quickly help us reunite stray dogs with their owners as well as save avoidable costs to the public purse.”