Wiltshire Council successful with dog microchipping prosecution

A Wiltshire man has been prosecuted by Wiltshire Council for not having an identification tag on a collar or a microchip registered for their dog.

Johnny Rooney Lansdowne of Littleton, Trowbridge, was prosecuted under both the Control of Dogs Order 1992 and the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulation 2015.

After a member of the public discovered a stray dog in Seend on 10 January 2022, the owner could not be identified, as the dog didn't have a collar on or an identification tag. The following day the dog was claimed by Johnny Rooney who provided information to confirm ownership of the dog.

The owner was served with a microchip notice that required the dog to be registered within 21 days. Despite being sent repeated reminders, the microchip owner details were not updated on a government approved register, and the decision was made by the council to prosecute.

The case was heard at Salisbury Magistrates court on 11 October 2022. A fine of £60 was issued (reduced to £40 for guilty plea), plus a victim surcharge of £34 and prosecution costs of £145 (reduced for proportionality), meaning a total fine of £219.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Public Health and Protection, said: "While we only pursue prosecutions as a last resort, I am pleased with the outcome as our Dog Warden team deal with a large number of stray dogs. The more dogs that have collars and microchip tags, the more that can be reunited quicker and easier with their owners.

"Thankfully most dogs are able to be returned to their owners, however some must be taken to kennels where they are held legally for seven days and if not claimed the Bath Cats and Dogs home rehome them on our behalf.

"The outcome of this case serves as a timely reminder that all dogs legally must be wearing both a collar and tag in public spaces and be microchipped with the details registered to a government approved provider.

"It is in the interest of everyone that dogs have collars and tags so they can be reunited quickly with their owners, and time and money is saved by the council which can be spent on delivery of frontline services."

This fine could have been avoided if the dog was wearing a collar and had a tag identifying the owners contact details. The cost of the fine in this case could have paid for 22 dog collars and tags.

Wiltshire Council Dog Wardens deal with on average 680 stray dogs a year and were recently awarded as Gold PawPrint Award by the RSPCA for their policies and procedures when dealing with stray dogs.

To report a stray dog people should call Wiltshire Council, 24 hrs a day, 0300 4560107.