One of the best ways to demonstrate that you love your dog is by having it licensed properly every year.
Besides complying with the state dog law, you’ll be helping to protect it if it escapes from your property and becomes lost. If found by someone unfamiliar with it, that person will have a tag number to provide to authorities to locate you as its owner.
That will make possible a happy reunion.
In addition, having a license will enable you to avoid the fine associated with owning an unlicensed dog, plus court fees tied to the violation.
The fine itself can total up to $500 for each dog.
A front-page article in the Mirror’s Jan. 3 edition reported the low cost of keeping your dog or dogs in compliance with state law — $8.70 per one-year license or $52.70 for a lifetime license.
Discounts are available for senior citizens at least 65 years old, and for people with disabilities.
In addition to licenses available at the county treasurer’s office at the courthouse in Hollidaysburg or at certain local retailers during their regular business hours, Blair County dog owners have the option of buying a dog license by completing an online application that is available on the county’s website.
That arranges for the license to be mailed to you, but dog owners using that option will have to pay a $2 fee that the vendor who processes the license application adds to the cost of the license.
However, it is a convenient way to obtain a license without having to travel to purchase it.
Altoona residents need to remember that the city sells its own license.
For the benefit of anyone who, in the past, has balked at purchasing a license or licenses, this might be the year when the law “bites” you. That is because the state has hired 10 new dog wardens to help with enforcement, and is continuing efforts to fill a number of vacant warden positions.
It’s right that the state is beefing up enforcement, so every dog owner adheres to his or her ownership responsibilities. Besides those responsibilities, owners should be sure to familiarize themselves with their other obligations, such as obeying the state’s leash law and any special municipal pet-control measures or limitations that might be in effect.
Pet ownership is a healthy part of all communities, but only if it adheres to all rules and responsibilities and respects the rights of others who might or might not be pet owners.
It is unfortunate that, in many communities, animosities exist between residents because pet owners sometimes ignore basic considerations that they should have for others and others’ properties.
People should not be timid about alerting authorities when their rights are being violated, because authorities have the obligation to respond to concerns.
But those points aside, keep in mind that investing in a dog license is a worthy investment in return for all the loyalty and love that the pet extends your way.
The world would be a better place if people were as loyal to one another as dogs are to their owners.
