By DIANE VALDEN
ANCRAM—If you are dog living in Ancram and you have no license, now is the time to get one.
You’ll probably need some help from your human.
Ancram Town Clerk Monica Cleveland announced at the January 16 Town Board meeting that she will sending out postcards in February to all residents on the tax roll reminding them that they need to license their dogs. State and local law requires the licensing of all dogs four months of age or older. Some dogs don’t have to pay the license fee, such as those working as a “guide, hearing service, war, search detection, police or therapy dogs” that can present appropriate documentation to the Town Clerk, says the Town Law.
The annual license fee is $6 for a spayed or neutered dog or $16 for a dog that is not spayed or neutered.
Dog license application forms can be found on the Town website at www.ancramny.org or can be picked up in the Town Clerk’s office during business hours or from a box outside the Town Hall door to and from the parking lot. Completed applications must be returned to the Town Clerk with payment of the license fee and “proof that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies or a statement from a licensed veterinarian that such vaccination would endanger the dog’s life, in which case vaccination shall not be required.” Each license issued is valid for a year and is not transferrable.
Ms. Cleveland noted that the town has talked about doing an updated dog census, but will start with a cheaper option—the post cards—for now.
Having noticed that other town clerks have dog bulletin boards posted in their offices, Ms. Cleveland said to “make things more cheerful” and to sweeten the deal, she also has put one up in her office and invites dog owners to post a photo of their furry friends when they come in to get them licensed. Also, so no one feels slighted, she invites anyone with a chicken, goat or any other kind of pet to post their photos also.
In a follow-up phone call, Ms. Cleveland estimated that only about 50 dogs were licensed in Ancram last year.
Could a town with a population of 1,440 according to the U.S. Census Bureau, really only have 50 dogs? Maybe Ancramites just prefer cats or emus?
According to doggieconnect.com, the reasons dog licenses are required are: to ensure that dogs are properly identified and can be returned to their owners if they become lost or stray. Dog licenses also serve as a means of tracking the dog population and promoting responsible pet ownership. By requiring dog licenses, states can enforce regulations regarding vaccinations, rabies control, and spaying/neutering, which ultimately contribute to public health and safety.”
All this for $6 or $16?
In fact, the Ancram law calls for the owner of a lost dog to prove that the dog is licensed before the dog warden can release the dog back to the owner, who also must pay any impoundment or other fees before they can take the dog home.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com
