A DOG owner whose pets were suspected of killing chickens on an allotment site has been fined for failing to have them properly microchipped.

Magistrates sitting at Newton Aycliffe today heard that neighbourhood wardens were called to gardens at Medomsley, near Consett, on February 17 because two stray dogs had killed birds on the site.

They managed to secure the animals with leads and scan them for microchips which had them registered with the same owners, a Mr and Mrs P Lockerton, but at two different addresses.

As the dogs were being led to a van to be transported away Peter Lockerton, of St Magdalene, Consett, arrived and said he was the owner of the St Bernard, called Radley, and a Newfoundland, called Humperdink.

He was given 21 days, until March 11, to update the information stored on the chips.

Kamila Coulson-Patel, prosecuting on behalf of Durham County Council, said that Lockerton was given until March 11 to change the details to his current address but when the officer checked on March 24 and again on April 5 and 19 they had still not been updated.

Lockerton pleaded guilty by email to two charges of failing to have the animals correctly microchipped.

He was fined £294 and ordered to pay costs of £240.56 and a £30 victim surcharge, to be paid within 14 days.