Get a Dog License and Park Permit or Face a Fine

Last week the town of Bedford sold $1,200 in dog licenses and permits for Canine Commons in one day.

That's because they conducted their first random check of the year on Sat. from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. at , Bedford's place for dogs to roam and play.

During the two-hour time frame last Saturday plus an hour each on Sunday and Monday, officials encountered more than 25 cars approaching the park—only two had permits.

The parks and recreation department is working with the town clerk’s office, Bedford Police and the dog control officer to conduct the permit checks, which will be randomly scheduled throughout this year.

"The biggest concern is the number of people who have not kept their dog's rabies shots up-to-date and do not have valid dog licenses," said Lisbeth "Boo" Fumagalli. "This is not fair to those who have their dogs properly licensed and [vaccinated] and pay to use this wonderful park. So enforcement is the key."

A ticket can be issued for each as a separate offense—one for not having a dog license (state law) and one for not having a permit (local law), said Fumagalli. If you don't have either, the fines add up.

The fines are as follows: First offense is $50, second is $100 and third is $250. The civil penalty for not having a license is $25. You have to have a valid license to get a park permit.

State law requires pet owners to vaccinate dogs by the time they are four months old. A second rabies shot must be given within one year of the first vaccination with additional booster shots given every one or three years after that, depending on the vaccine used, according to the county department of health.

Owners who fail to get their pets vaccinated and keep the vaccinations up-to-date face steep fines—up to $1,000.

To obtain a license for your dog in the town of Bedford, click here.

To obtain a permit to use Canine Commons, click here. The fees are as follows: $40.00 for the first dog; $20.00 for the second and $15.00 for the third or more. Guest passes are available for $5.00 per day. There are a limited number of non-resident permits available.

Permits for Canine Commons will be rescinded if a dog's NYS license expires and is not renewed on time, according to Fumagalli.

Canine Commons, at 135 Beaver Dam Road, Katonah, occupies a niche in the 17-acre Beaver Dam Park, which sprawls beside the northbound lanes of I-684 between Harris and Beaver Dam roads. The dog park, open year-round from 7 a.m. to dusk, contains three arenas: one for dogs under 30 pounds, another for dogs over 30 pounds and a third for agility training.

Visit animal-link.org for details on low-cost rabies clinics in Westchester County.