A MAN from West Berkshire has been fined for not microchipping his pet dogs or providing them with a collar bearing his name or address.

Following investigation by the Public Protection Partnership (PPP) and Environmental Health Service, Steve Banham, 44, from Hermitage, was found guilty in his absence at Reading Magistrates Court on November 22, of two offences.

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Firstly, permitting a dog to be on a highway while not wearing a collar bearing the name and address of the owner and secondly, for the breach of a notice requiring him to microchip the animal.

The charge relates to an incident on March 11 2019, where a report was received by the PPP, requesting the collection on three German Shepherd dogs.

Only one of the dogs, a female, was microchipped.

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None had tags identifying the name and address of the owner.

The animal warden identified the owner of the chipped female dog and all the dogs were returned to Mr Banham's address, where an occupant confirmed that one chipped female dog belonged to him and the other male and female dogs belonged to Mr Banham.

On March 14, Mr Banham was served with a notice requiring him to microchip his male dog within 21 days.

On attending the home address on April 29, the animal warden was unable to locate a microchip in the male German Shepherd.

Banham was fined £150 and ordered to pay a contribution to court costs of £500 plus a victim surcharge of £30.

Anyone wishing further advice on the legal requirements relating to the microchipping and identification of dogs should contact the Public Protection Partnership (01635) 519930 or visit the website.