A Ludgershall woman has been fined for failing to keep her dog’s microchip details up to date and ensure it wore a correctly labelled collar.
Allison Prudence Collin, 61, of Short Street, was convicted at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 27 October after failing to comply with legislation relating to dog identification.
Ms Collin did not attend the hearing and was found guilty in her absence. She 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 named Cookie was found wandering without an owner in the Short Street area of Ludgershall.
The dog was wearing a collar, but it did not display the owner’s name and address, as required by law.
Cookie was taken to a local veterinary practice, where a microchip scan revealed that the registered details were incorrect and the owner could not be contacted.
Wiltshire Council’s Dog Warden team collected the animal and arranged temporary kennelling while efforts were made to establish ownership.
Ms Collin collected Cookie from the council’s holding kennels the following day, providing proof of ownership and paying the required fees.
She was also served with a formal notice requiring her to update the dog’s microchip details within 21 days.
However, despite further attempts by the Dog Warden team to contact her by letter, telephone and email, the information remained incorrect and prosecution proceedings were launched.
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, with their keeper’s details kept up to date.
It is also a legal requirement for dogs in public places to wear a collar displaying their owner’s name and address.
Owners can check or update their pet’s information by contacting the database where its microchip is registered. Details of approved databases are available at www.gov.uk/get-your-dog-cat-microchipped.
Anyone requiring help with updating their dog’s details can contact Wiltshire Council’s Dog Warden Service by emailing [email protected].
Stray dogs can be reported through the council’s online service at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/lost-found-dogs, which is available 24 hours a day.
Those unable to report online can contact the council on 0300 456 0107 between 8am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
