Time for Erie County dog owners to buy a tag

SANDUSKY — If you own a dog in Erie County, it's time to buy a dog tag. A dog license, which includes a tag for the dog's collar, costs $22. If you don't meet the deadline of the end of January to buy a license, the cost goes up to double the original cost. If you miss the deadline, you're also subject to a misdemeanor citation for failure to buy a dog license. You could face a fine of $100, and then you still have to buy the license, at the higher cost. State law requires all dogs to be licensed by the time they are three months old. By law, all unlicensed dogs can be seized and impounded. Offenders can be fined up to $250 plus court costs. There are also positive reasons, however, to buy a dog license. It's not exactly unknown for dogs to get loose and leave an owner's yard, but when that happens, the dog license helps everyone get the dog back to you. Buying a dog license puts your address and telephone number into a database that police officers can access 24 hours a day. In many cases, when an officer captures a loose dog, he or she can use the information to return the dog to the home immediately. And anyone else who notices a loose dog when the dog pound is open can phone the dog pound with the information on the tag. If a dog with a tag is captured and the owner can't be located immediately, perhaps because the dog escaped while the owner was out of town, other benefits kick in immediately if the dog is taken to the dog pound. A dog without a dog tag can be put up for adoption in three days. A dog with a tag is held for at least 14 days and the pound will continue trying to contact the owner, including sending a certified letter. If a dog with a tag is found with injuries, by law it must be taken immediately to the vet. Dog tags are the main source of funding for the dog pound. Where to buy them? If you wish, you can buy the dog license online at www.doglicenses.us/OH/Erie/. Dog licenses also may be purchased at the following locations. All phone numbers take the 419 area code, unless otherwise indicated: • Bay View Center, Bay View • Chelsea Dog, Sandusky • Civista Bank 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 Parden, 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