NEW GLOUCESTER – Delinquent pooch owners in New Gloucester face an increasing fine for not having registered their dogs by January.
A warrant signed last week by selectmen lists 123 dogs by name, along with their owners, so the town can collect fines for failure to get a license by Jan. 31.
The fine is higher than the cost of on-time licensing. For example, a neutered dog’s registration fee is normally $6, and it’s $10 for non-neutered dogs. The overdue fine for delinquency, which is tacked on top of the registration fee, started at $15 per animal during February and March, and on April 8 will rise to $25 as a result of the selectmen’s action.
New Gloucester Animal Control Officer Heather Phinney said by telephone on Wednesday that she is in the midst of calling each owner and keeper of dogs six months old as of Jan. 1 that are unlicensed and in violation of state law.
She says that when she finds unlicensed dogs at large, they are taken to the animal shelter in Auburn, and their owners face paying shelter fees. The animals are given a temporary license and the owners must pay penalty or late fees.
Phinney says that in the last 14 years on the job, she has seen the same owners forgetting to relicense their pets. And, those owners are not happy when confronted, says Phinney. “Some people get really upset over forgetting. It’s not so much fun when they get very upset especially when they have older dogs that don’t go out.”
The fines will go into the town coffers to help offset Phinney’s costs. Part of the dog license fees go to the state for the animal welfare system.
“There were several hundred dogs not registered when this year’s list was compiled,” said Phinney.
In order to obtain licenses, the notified owners must show evidence of rabies shots for their pets within seven days of the demand. They must also pay the license and recording fees, plus late fees for each dog licensed.
The town’s dog list has remained a fairly consistent length for years. But some of the dogs on the list may not reside in New Gloucester any longer, or may have died.
Dogs are the only domestic animals mandated for licensure. Cats, cows, horses, rabbits and hamsters are free from licensing requirements, says Phinney. But exotic animals like spiders, snakes and rats must have a permit.
Comments are no longer available on this story