A BRACKNELL dog owner has been handed a bill totalling nearly £2,000 after twice failing to microchip her pet.

Nicola James, of Bullbrook, Bracknell, lost her terrier/pug cross on two occasions in seven months and both times the dog was found without a registered microchip.

James first lost her dog on September 8, 2020, when a member of the public found her pet without a collar and tag.

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The pup had a microchip implanted, but it had not been registered with any database and had no owner details.

James came forward to claim the dog but was given a formal notice requesting she register her pet’s microchip so that her address and contact number were recorded.

However, James lost her pet again in April 2021 and it was found in Lily Hill Park.

The microchip was still unregistered and the owner was prosecuted.

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James was found guilty in absence at Reading Magistrates’ Court for twice failing to microchip a dog and one count of a dog straying without a collar.

She was fined £600 for the microchipping offences, £400 for the dog having no collar, told to pay a £100 victim surcharge, ordered to pay court costs of £600 and made to pay £178 to recover kenneling costs.

Bracknell Forest Council executive member councillor John Harrison said: “We know that dogs sometimes get loose and stray away from home.

“This highlights how important it is for dog owners to have their pets microchipped and registered with up to date details.

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“I am glad that in this case, the dog was reunited with its owner but this shows why it is vital that details are kept up to date.”

All dogs and puppies over 8 weeks old are required to be microchipped with up to date keeper’s details, under the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015.

All dogs in public should also have a collar with an identification tag showing the dog’s name and address of owner, even if it is microchipped.

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