The owner of a dog found straying in Dover has been hit with a £384 bill for failing to comply with microchipping regulations.

Owners are now being reminded that it's against the law not to have dogs chipped and they're being urged to make sure they are compliant.

The warning comes after Dover District Council (DDC) successfully prosecuted Obie Harber, 26, at Folkestone Magistrates' Court last week.

In the evening of August 26 last year, DDC received a report of a dog found straying in the district. Officers were unable to detect a microchip so the dog was moved to kennels.

The following day, Harber was identified as the owner and was reunited with his dog.

When reuniting them, DDC’s dog warden served him with a notice requiring him to microchip the pet within 21 days.

Harber subsequently contacted DDC to say he had sold his dog without microchipping it and was unable to provide an address of the new owner.

"Our Dog Wardens work hard to reunite stray dogs with their owners. When a dog goes missing it can be distressing for both them and their owner..."

When DDC took the matter to court, Harber, 26, of Bletchenden Road, Headcorn, pleaded guilty.

He was fined £75 for failing to comply with a notice and £125 for transferring ownership without a microchip, and was ordered to pay £150 costs with a £34 victim surcharge.

Cllr Nicholas Kenton, DDC cabinet member for planning and regulatory services said: “Stray dogs can present a hazard to traffic and foul in public areas.

"Our dog wardens work hard to reunite stray dogs with their owners. When a dog goes missing it can be distressing for both them and their owner.

"Having your pet microchipped is quick and painless for them and increases the chances of you being reunited if they go missing.”

DDC offers a microchip implantation service for £10 per dog.

To book call 01304 872289 or email envcrime@dover.gov.uk.

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