State dog warden checking licenses
Dog owners beware. The state dog warden is in Washington County looking for unlicensed dogs.
Dog licenses are required for animals over the age of 3 months. Licenses are $6.45 for spayed or neutered animals and $8.45 for dogs that have not been fixed. There is a $2 discount for the disabled and senior citizens.
Washington County Treasurer Francis King said a number of people who live in the Town and Country Trailer Park in Canton Township have come to his office for dog licenses.
“We have seen an increase in the last week,” King said. “The dog warden goes to places where there have been complaints of dogs running loose with no tags.”
“It is better to pay for a dog tag than the $300 fine,” he added.
King said that his office sees a slight increase in dog license applications every year. In 2012, the office sold about 21,000 licenses.
“Every year we send out reminders to anyone who bought a license the previous year,” King said. “That program works well for us. The state reimburses the county for the cost of postage and printing out cards.”
Applications for dog licenses are also available on the county’s website as well as at the offices of veterinarians.
The dog warden not only looks to make sure the dog is properly licensed, but also that the animal has had a rabies booster shot, said Samantha Krepps, spokeswoman for the state Department of Agriculture.
“Having a license on the dog is the best way to make sure it gets back home,” Krepps said. “Without a license, it is harder to reunite the dog with the owner. That is why we try to educate the public.”
She said the Department of Agriculture kicked off the campaign in March to get people to license their dogs. Since the state met the goal of 100,000 dog licenses, PetsSmart donated $10,000 to a nonprofit that trains and provides service dogs to children and adults.