A North East dog owner has been hit with a court fine for failing to ensure her dog was appropriately microchipped.

Middlesbrough woman Alisha Grimes was found to have breached the 2023 Microchipping of Dogs & Cats Regulations in a case that was the first of its kind for the town. 

Teesside Magistrates heard how a Middlesbrough Council Environmental Neighbourhood Safety Warden was called to collect a stray Lhasa Apso dog in April this year.

It is a legal requirement for dog and cat owners to have their pets microchipped with up-to-date current owner details.

However when the dog’s details were checked they were found to be those of the previous owner, and the dog was reported missing by its current owner later the same day.

When the dog was returned to Ms Grimes she confirmed she had not updated the details, and a notice to comply and a further reminder were subsequently ignored.

The 25-year-old, of Eversley Walk, Middlesbrough was this week fined £440 by Teesside Magistrates, and ordered to pay a £176 victim surcharge and £250 costs.

Councillor Janet Thompson, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for Community Safety, said: “This is a fantastic result, and I hope it will act as a reminder to all dog owners of their responsibilities.

“Microchips are a really important safeguard for owners and the general public alike, and it’s essential that they are kept up to date if they are to be effective.

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“They can help reunite owners with lost pets, reduce the number of strays on our streets and reduce the burden on animal charities.

“I’m grateful to the court for supporting our work in this important area, and for making an example in this case.”

Anyone who finds a stray dog out of office hours (4.30pm to 9am) can call Middlesbrough Council’s out of hours service on 01642 726050.