Wiltshire Dog Owner Fined for Failing to Update Microchip Details

A Wiltshire dog owner has been prosecuted for failing to update their dog's microchip details and for not ensuring the dog wore a collar displaying the owner's details when it was found stray.

At Salisbury Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 27 October, Allison Prudence Collin, 61, of Short Street, Ludgershall, was found guilty of failing to ensure a dog wore a collar displaying the owner's name and address and failing to comply with a formal notice requiring the dog's microchip details to be updated.

Ms Collin, who did not attend the hearing, was found guilty in her absence and was fined £220 and ordered to pay £389.21 in costs and an £88 victim surcharge.

The prosecution followed an incident in April 2026, when a terrier-type dog was found wandering in the Short Street area of Ludgershall without an owner present and was taken to a local veterinary practice.

Although the dog, named Cookie, was wearing a collar, it did not display the owner's name and address as required by law. The dog was scanned and found to be microchipped; however, the database information was incorrect, and the registered keeper could not be contacted.

The council's Dog Warden team collected Cookie and arranged temporary kennelling until ownership could be established. The following day, Ms Collin collected Cookie from the council's holding kennels, provided proof of ownership and paid the required fees. She was also served with a formal notice requiring her to update the microchip details within 21 days.

Despite further attempts by the Dog Warden team to contact Ms Collin by letter, telephone and email, the microchip details remained incorrect, and prosecution proceedings were initiated.

Cllr Paul Sample, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: "Microchipping is one of the quickest and most effective ways of reuniting lost dogs with their owners, but it only works when the information recorded on the database is accurate and up to date.

"In this case, the dog's microchip details were incorrect, and the legally required identification on the collar was missing, making it difficult to trace and contact the owner.

"Our officers provided multiple opportunities for the issue to be resolved, but the necessary action was not taken. When dogs aren’t microchipped, our officers have to spend valuable time and resources resolving the issue.

"This is now the seventh successful prosecution brought by Wiltshire Council for failing to comply with legislation relating to dog microchip records. We hope it serves as a reminder that keeping a dog's identification details up to date is both a legal responsibility and an important way of helping lost pets return home safely."

Dogs over eight weeks old must be microchipped, and keeper details must be kept up to date. Dogs in public places must also wear a collar displaying the owner's name and address.

Owners can check or update their dog's details by contacting the database where the microchip is registered. Information on approved databases is available on GOV.UK. If you need help updating your dog's microchip details, contact the council's Dog Warden Service at dogs@wiltshire.gov.uk. 

To report a stray dog, people can use the online reporting service, available 24 hours a day at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/lost-found-dogs. Those who can't report online can contact Wiltshire Council on 0300 456 0107 between 8am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.