New Canaan Police are reminding dog owners to have their pets licensed with the town by June 30.
New Canaan Animal Control Officer Allyson Halm. Photo by Mackenzie Lewis
Owners face a late fee for registering dogs after the deadline, according to Officer Allyson Halm, head of the Police Department Animal Control section. In addition to a nominal monthly fee, an additional failure to license citation could be assessed, which carries a fee of $75 per dog.
State law calls for all dogs at least six months old to be licensed, and proof of rabies vaccination is required.
A dog’s license helps authorities locate owners in cases where the animals are lost, Halm said.
“It’s the law and it’s also a safety factor,” Halm said. “If that tag is on the collar then we can contact the owner quickly. We are offering a first ride home free if we can identify you quickly and get your dog home safely.”
Dog owners who had their pets licensed last year may renew online. New registrants must license their dogs in person at the Town Clerk’s office in Town Hall or can send in an application by snail mail. It costs $19 to license a dog that has not been neutered or spayed, $8 if they have been.
It’s rare for Animal Control to issue a failure to license summons, though Halm said she did ticket three dog owners recently for the infraction-level offense. Currently, there are still a few remaining dog owners already on the books who have not yet renewed their dogs’ licenses since last year, she said.