Where Did All the Dogs Go? License Numbers Way Down As Deadline Looms

It seems that's Wayland's dog population decreased by more than 35 percent from 2012-2013.

Ok, probably not. But that is what the town's dog license numbers currently indicate.

According to Wayland Town Clerk Lois Toombs, her office had licensed 1,100 dogs as of late Monday afternoon, just a day before the Jan. 15, 2013, deadline for all dogs in town to be licensed.

That number represents more than 650 fewer pooches than the town licensed in 2012 when it issued 1,762 licenses, Toombs said.

Each year, Wayland requires that all dog owners obtain licenses for each dog over 6 months old in their household. Toombs said she wasn't sure how many households her numbers represent since many have more than one dog.

She did issue the reminder that the license fees increase after the Jan. 15 deadline, and Wayland cannot issue a license without a current rabies certificate.

Licenses for dogs registered by 4 p.m. on Jan. 15 cost $20 each or $15 for spayed/neutered dogs. Toombs said that past experience has shown many people license their dogs when they come to the town building to pay their Feb. 1 property tax bills, but after Jan. 15, a $25 late fee will be assessed for each dog license, bringing the total cost to $40 or $45.

If a dog still isn't licensed by March 31, an additional $50 fine will be added to the late licensing rates, Toombs said.

If, in fact, there are 650 fewer dogs in Wayland this year, Toombs aked that the former owners contact the town clerk's office (508-358-3630) so records can be updated.

The license request form is available online and at Wayland Town Building. The fee is payable by check (made out to the Town of Wayland) or cash.

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