JAY – Residents with unlicensed dogs face higher late fines and a possible summons to court unless they take action before Monday night.
There are 73 dogs in town whose owners have not licensed them and owe late fines of $15 plus the license fees of either $10, if the dog is not neutered or spayed, or $6 if it is.
Dogs are supposed to be licensed by Jan. 1 each year, Town Manager Ruth Marden said Wednesday.
Selectmen are scheduled to sign the dog warrant Monday night and the late fees will increase to $25 for each unlicensed dog, Marden said.
It’s been a long time since the town did a dog warrant – a list of all the dogs in town that are not licensed, she said.
“One of the reasons we are concerned is because there have been two cases of rabies reported in Jay,” she said.
Two raccoons tested positive for rabies 12 days apart in mid-February in the vicinity of East Dixfield and Walker Hill Roads in North Jay.
In one case, the raccoon went after a man when it was discovered in his shed, and in the other case, the rabid animal had contact with a dog. In both instances, the raccoons were shot and tested in Augusta.
Marden said if people want to know if their names are on the list for unlicensed dogs they should contact the town office at 897-6785.
Some people may have dogs on the list that have died or been given away, she said.
Once the dog warrant is signed, Marden said, Animal Control Officer Larry Wright will go to each residence to discuss the matter and animal owners could get a summons to go to court.
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