Article date – 29 April 2019
Lee Wilson, 39, of Brookway Lane was ordered to pay a total of £230 after being found guilty in his absence at Liverpool, Knowsley and St Helens Magistrates’ Court of failing to have his dog micro chipped, as prescribed by the Micro chipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015 .
The court heard how Wilson’s dog was seized as a stray dog in September 2018 and on claiming his dog back from St Helens Council’s Dog Welfare and Enforcement Service, he was served with a notice under section 12 (a) of the Micro chipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015 requiring him to have the dog micro chipped within 21 days.
Wilson failed to comply despite being served with a ‘Final Opportunity to Comply’ notice, effectively giving a dog owner an extra seven days to meet the requirements of the legislation.
He was fined £100, with costs of £100 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30.
Welcoming the outcome, Mike Petersen, Principal Environmental Health Officer at St Helens Council, said:
“Prosecution is a last resort for the council for microc hipping offences, however on this occasion it has been necessary. By law all keepers of dogs must ensure that their dogs are micro chipped – and that the relevant contact details are registered and kept up to date on a compliant database.
“The benefits of micro chipping- both for the dog and the public- are widely recognised and it is quick, cheap and easy to do. We would urge all dog owners to ensure that their dogs are micro chipped and also to double check their contact details to ensure they are correct on any database.”
