Westmoreland County Dog Owners Reminded of Responsibility to License Dogs

GREENSBURG, Pa., May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary George Greig today reminded Pennsylvanians to license their dogs, saying a dog license is the best way to protect lost dogs.

"Dog ownership comes with a lot of responsibilities, and licensing your dog is on the top of the list," Greig said. "Buying a dog license is easy and affordable, and dog owners can purchase a license at their local county treasurer's office, through agents and online."

An annual dog license is $8.45, or $6.45 if the animal is spayed or neutered. Lifetime licenses are available for dogs that have permanent identification like a microchip or tattoo. Older adults and people with disabilities may be eligible for discounts.

The dog license application is simple and only requests owner contact information and details about the dog being licensed, like name, age, breed and color.

"We see a lot of dogs that are not licensed and it's hard for us to reunite them with their owners," Kathy Burkley, executive director of the Humane Society of Westmoreland County said. "Your best bet for your lost dog coming home safely and quickly is with an updated dog license."

Greig offered these reasons for dog licensing:

• It's the law. All dogs three months and older must have a current license.
• If your dog gets lost, a license is the best way to get him back. A license helps animal control and shelters identify your dog and get him back home safely.
• The cost of a license is less than the penalty for being caught without one. Owners who fail to license their dogs could face a fine of up to $300 for each unlicensed dog.
• License fees support animal control. The annual fee you pay to license your dog helps keep shelters running and supports the work of the Dog Law Enforcement Office, which is responsible for ensuring the welfare of dogs, regulating dangerous dogs and overseeing annual licensing and rabies vaccinations. State dog wardens completed 4,711 kennel inspections last year and issued 3,113 summary citations and 56 misdemeanor charges related to violations of the Pennsylvania Dog Law.

For more information, visit www.licenseyourdogPA.com or call the Dog Law Enforcement Office at 717-787-3062.

Media contact: Samantha Elliott Krepps, 717-787-5085

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

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