Dog license renewal starting today, citations possible for owners
As we approach the end of the year, we're also approaching those annual dog licensing fees.
They do vary, in Mahoning County, renewal will cost you $20 between today and the end of January, officials say that's usually extended to February 28th.
In Trumbull County renewal will cost $18 dollars between Decmber 1st and February 28th and in Columbiana County, the cost is $12 between now and January 31st, with no extensions.
Officials tell 21 News, registration helps keep the county pound functioning, keeps the employees salaries paid, the dogs cared for and is beneficial for the owner.
"It helps to provide services to all these animals," said Ralph Meacham, Mahoning County Auditor. "We have dog wardens, we have a very efficient and modern dog facility. On every tag, there's identifying information if your dog is lost or runs away. You could look at that tag and find the name and the phone number of the owner. So it protects the animals, it protects the owners," he said.
Dog licenses are a law, according to the Ohio Revised Code and will result in doubled registration fees or citations if they aren't honored.
It's easier for authorities to track down past registrants who have not renewed their dog licenses but the Mahoning County Dog Warden tells 21 News there's also a plan for catching the ones who won't register their pets.
"We're going to canvas. We do that periodically," said Dianne. "We are at full staff right now, so we have the capabilities now to start April 15th and we will be doing neighborhood canvassing," she said.
Meacham and Fry strongly encourage dog owners to renew their dog licenses online at Dog Tags Mahoning County or through the mail to the Auditor's or Dog Warden's offices. For Trumbull and Columbiana counties, you can find dog renewal forms on their auditor's websites.