A dog owner was taken to court for failing to have his pet microchipped and allowing it to stray.
Durham County Council took legal action against John Sayers, 37, of Balmoral Avenue, in Stanley, after his dog was found wandering on a street in February this year.
The animal was handed in to West Way Vets in Stanley where the council’s neighbourhood wardens were called.
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After checks showed there was no microchip, the dog was taken to Stray Aid until Sayers came to collect it.
Sayers was served a notice by a neighbourhood warden, giving him 21 days to microchip his dog, as required by law, and a fixed penalty notice of £100 was also issued for allowing his dog to stray.
Peterlee Magistrates’ Court heard that Sayers never paid the fine and also failed to get his dog microchipped.
Sayers did not attend the hearing, and in his absence, magistrates ordered him to pay a £320 fine, £300 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.
Belinda Snow, Durham County Council’s…
