Warning as woman fined £500 for dog microchip error

Dog owners are being urged to ensure their pet's microchip information is updated after a woman was prosecuted and fined more than £500.

Wiltshire Council dog warden Seb Williams said that all dogs should legally be microchipped from eight weeks of age and the details on that chip kept up-to-date.

The council said it received 659 calls about lost or found dogs during 2025/26 and 190 of those had to be taken to kennels as the owners could not be immediately found - only 17 had updated microchip details.

"It's one of the quickest, most effective ways of getting a dog back to their owner if it does go missing", said Williams.

The warning comes after 35-year-old-Victoria Hill, from Queen's Road, Royal Wootton Bassett, appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court on 11 September and was fined for not registering her details on her dog's chip, despite being asked to do so repeatedly.

When her dog was found wandering but its microchip did not have details registered to an approved database, Hill was given 21 days to rectify the issue.

But despite letters, emails, calls and a visit to her address, she still failed to comply. Hill was fined £220, with £300 costs awarded and an £88 victim surcharge.

Williams said because dogs should be microchipped and registered by the time they are eight weeks old, the responsibility to do this usually falls to the breeder.

But the new owner must update the chip with their details by contacting the database it is registered with.

Williams added: "It means that we can reduce the stress on the animals when we pick them up as stray dogs and we can get them straight back to their owners and into their home."

Dogs also need a collar and tag when in public.

Owners must contact an approved microchip database to register a chip or update their details.

There is a list of databases on the government website.

The government advice is to make sure microchips are fitted by a trained professional, for example a vet, local council or rescue and rehoming centre.

Jason Cortis is an education officer at animal welfare charity Blue Cross. He stressed the importance of the chips in helping them reunite pets with their families.

He said Blue Cross has seen some "incredible stories", adding: "You can reunite pets after long periods of time, more than 10 years sometimes, simply because that microchip was there."

Williams said the council prosecutes four or five owners a year but before turning to enforcement, they provide education, advice and chances to get a chip or get one updated.

The maximum fine for not having a microchip or updating one is £500.

"So what would cost them £20, £30... costs them a lot more as they go to court. It's one of those ongoing costs of having a dog," he added.

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