June is Dog Licensing Month

Monroe Animal Control Officer Ed Risko says his department has prepared 2,196 dog license renewal notices for mailing from 2012 and another 359 from 2011. Meanwhile, the Monroe Town Clerk's Office at town hall started accepting dog license applications this week.

"We started dog licensing as of 8:30 this morning," Town Clerk Marsha Beno said Monday afternoon. "We already issued about 80 licenses."

"And it's only 2:30," Judy Thomas, who is hired to assist with dog licenses every year, added.

June is Dog License Renewal Month.

"June is the last time to renew your dog's license without penalty," Beno said, adding a one dollar penalty fee is added for each month a pet owner is late.

It costs $8 for the year for dogs who are either spayed or neutered and $19 for pets who are not. Those applying for a license for the first time must show proof of a rabies shot along with its expiration date.

Beno said residents who pay $19 for an animal that is not spayed or neutered may come back later to show proof that it's been done.

Risko said the state of Connecticut requires dog owners to license their pets, even if the animal never leaves their property. This is according to Section 22-338 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

The penalty for an unlicensed dog is a $75 infraction, according to Risko.

Section 22-339b of the Connecticut General Statutes requires all dogs and cats age three months or older to have proof of a rabies vaccination. Risko said the penalty is a $136 infraction.  

Beno said residents may apply for renewals during regular town hall office hours — 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday — or by mail.

Checks and a rabies vaccination expiration date should be mailed to the Town Clerks Office at Monroe Town Hall, 7 Fan Hill Road, Monroe CT 06468. Beno said checks should be made payable to either the Town Clerk or the Town of Monroe.

For information, call the Monroe Town Clerk's Office at 203-452-2811.