Dog tag license period extended

PERKINS TWP. — Erie County commissioners extended the time frame for when local dog owners must purchase 2024 tags for their pets. Originally set at Jan. 31, commissioners pushed back the deadline by more than a week to Feb. 9. Licenses are $22. Barb Knapp, Erie County's dog warden, said officers will be going door-to-door to verify that all dogs are licensed. Her office will issue citations for anyone found in violation. Offenders can expect to receive fines totaling $100 and up. Additionally, non-compliant owners must pay a late fee when buying a license. There is a $22 penalty for late purchases in addition to the standard $22 per license. State law requires all dogs 3 months old and older must be licensed. All unlicensed dogs can be seized and impounded. By law, dogs must wear their tags. It's a good idea because loose dogs found wearing a tag are returned right away to their owners by police once the owner is identified. If the tag is lost, duplicates are only $5 at the dog pound. Dog license fees are the main source of income for the Erie County Dog Pound, supporting the pound's mission of providing a temporary home for dogs and investigating animal cruelty and neglect incidents. These fees help dog pound workers carry out many services, such as: • Handling dog running at-large calls in Erie County • Investigating dog bites to determine if a dog should be deemed "dangerous" or "vicious" • Responding to after-hour calls for emergencies • Assisting police officers with animal-related issues • Working with rescues to find homes for impounded dogs • Providing a low-cost spay/neuter program for dogs and cats in conjunction with a veterinarian Where to buy them Dog licenses are available at doglicenses.us/oh/erie. There is a $2.25 upcharge for online fees. They also may be purchased at locations throughout Erie County: • Bay View Center, Bay View • The Chelsea Dog, Sandusky • Civista Banking in Berlin Heights, Castalia and on East Perkins Avenue in Sandusky • Country Breeze Carry Out, Vermilion • Dairy Stop, Vermilion • Dave's Food Mart, Milan • DogGone Gorgeous, Sandusky • Drug Mart, Huron • Erie County auditor, Sandusky • Erie County Dog Pound, Sandusky • Firelands Animal Hospital, Huron • Island Market, Kelleys Island • Lakeshore Veterinarian Hospital, Sandusky • Pet Supplies Plus, Sandusky • Sandusky Animal Hospital, Sandusky • Sandusky Food and Wine, Sandusky • Sandusky License Bureau (BMV) • Strawberry Hill Market, Sandusky • Village Drive Thru, Milan • York Animal Hospital, Bellevue • 2nd Roe Feeds & Seeds, Monroeville