New Dog Licenses Required

Town Clerk Cindy Simon advises Newtown dog owners that dogs 6 months of age and over must be licensed annually during the month of June. The new 2004 licenses are available at the town clerk’s office, which is open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm, at Edmond Town Hall.

The State of Connecticut requires that all dogs must have rabies vaccinations. Therefore, when licensing a dog it will be necessary to present a current rabies vaccination certificate and, if licensing a dog for the first time, it will be necessary to present the spaying or neutering certificate in order to obtain the lower license fee. The fees are $8 for a neutered male or spayed female and $19 for others.

Licenses may be ordered by mail by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope with a check or money order for the proper amount and the following information: rabies certificate, spay or neuter certificate, owner’s name, phone number, address, dog’s name, breed, age of dog, color markings, and sex of dog. Dog owners may also send or bring to the office a self-addressed stamped envelope to have a reminder sent next year at this time.

Dog Warden George Mattegat advises Newtown dog owners that the State of Connecticut is taking dog licensing very seriously and if the tag is not on the dog’s collar, it is not considered licensed. Any dogs not licensed by July 1 will be issued a summons and those dogs appearing on last year’s delinquent  list will be the first to receive a summons. A summons will be issued even if the dog does not leave the owner’s house. The fine is $60. If the dog does not have a current rabies vaccination, the fine will be $120.  If the dog fights with another animal and is not vaccinated against rabies, the dog must be kenneled for six months or it will be euthanized and sent to Hartford for rabies testing.

During the first week of July there will be a drawing at the town clerk’s office from all those who have registered through June 30. The drawing will determine the #1 Dog of Newtown.

For more information, call the town clerk’s office at 270-4210.