A WOMAN has been fined more than £400 after failing to update the microchip details for her dog.

On August 1, 2017, Durham County Council received a report relating to a dog straying in the Tanmeads area of Nettlesworth.

A neighbourhood warden visited the area and found that the dog was microchipped to 31-year-old Natalie Stephenson and registered to an address in Tennyson Road, Pelton Fell.

However, when Stephenson collected the dog from Coxhoe Kennels, a different address was provided and she was served with a 21-day notice requiring her to ensure the microchip details were updated and provided to the council.

Following council tax checks, it then emerged that the new address given by Stephenson was also out of date and that she was now living at Findon Avenue in Sacriston. As a result, she was given another 21 days to update the microchip.

On 10 October, the neighbourhood warden checked to see if the details had been changed and found they had not – and this remained the case following a further check on November 28.

Stephenson was ordered to pay a fine of £440, costs of £150 and a victim surcharge of £44.

Oliver Sherratt, of Durham County Council, said: “Keeping your pet’s microchip up to date is vital so it can be returned to you if it is lost, strays or is stolen.