DOG owners received expert advice, free microchipping and basic health checks for their pets during a community event in Chester.

The event, organised by Dogs Trust with support from Sanctuary Housing and Cheshire West and Chester Council, took place at Lache Community Centre as part of a campaign to promote responsible dog ownership.

Veterinary nurses saw more than 30 dogs during the event, offering a free, on-the-spot microchipping service for those not yet chipped, a legal requirement since 2016.

A total of 10 dogs were microchipped during the event, while 10 more that already had chips had their owner and contact details updated.

Owners were also offered health and training advice and provided with responsible dog ownership packs, full of handy tips and useful resources.

Sanctuary is supporting a series of Dogs Trust drop-in events as part of a wider drive to encourage responsible dog ownership in Lache.

Libbie Stock, Sanctuary’s youth engagement officer, said: “We aim to ensure our communities are clean and pleasant places to live and encouraging responsible dog ownership has an important part to play in that.”

Michelle Moat, campaigns officer for Dogs Trust in the North of England, added: “Events like this are really vital in helping to spread the message about responsible dog ownership and the importance of microchipping.

“It was great to meet so many Lache residents and all their wonderful four-legged friends.”

This initiative is part-funded by Sanctuary’s Community Investment Fund, supporting projects which benefit Sanctuary residents and their communities.

For details of other Dogs Trust events, visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/communityevents