Council prosecutes two residents for failing to comply with dog microchipping law
Council prosecutes two residents for failing to comply with dog microchipping law
Hyndburn Borough Council has successfully prosecuted two residents for failing to comply with legal requirements under The Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023. Both cases highlight the importance of ensuring dogs are correctly microchipped and that keeper details are kept up to date.
The first case was heard at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court on 26 November 2025, where a resident from Accrington pleaded guilty to failing to update their dog’s microchip details despite repeated notices. The court ordered the defendant to pay fines and costs totalling £156.
The second case, heard on the same date, involved a resident from Great Harwood who failed to attend court. The Magistrates granted an application to proceed in her absence and found the case proved. The defendant was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £837.33, to be paid within 28 days.
Both prosecutions followed extensive efforts by the Council’s Dog Wardens to advise and assist the residents in complying with the law. Multiple notices were served in each case, but neither resident updated their dog’s microchip details as required.
Under the law, all dogs over eight weeks old must be microchipped and have up-to-date keeper details recorded on an approved database. Failure to comply can result in prosecution and a fine of up to £500.
Councillor Stewart Eaves, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services said:
“Microchipping is vital to ensure lost dogs can be quickly and safely returned to their owners. It’s not just a legal requirement, it prevents distress for pets and owners and reduces costs for councils and rescue centres. We urge all dog owners to check their details are correct and keep them updated.
Dogs who are not correctly microchipped very rarely make it back to their keepers when lost, and this is obviously very distressing for the dog. On top of that the kennelling costs to Councils are expensive and increasing all the time. Rescue centres all over the country are struggling to keep up with the amount of strays that are ending up in kennels.
Dogs found with correct microchip details will almost always make it back to their owners.”
Residents can find more information about microchipping requirements and how to update details on the Government website here https://www.gov.uk/get-your-dog-cat-microchipped