February 14, 2008
Volume 38, Number 64
Contact: Lynn Herman, Delaware Dog Control Administrator, phone: (302)
739-9911 or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, phone: (302) 739-9902
DNREC's Division of Fish and Wildlife urges Delaware dog owners to license
their pets by March 1. Delaware law requires that all dogs six months and
older must be licensed, except for Seeing Eye, lead or guide dogs, and all
licensing is handled through DNREC except for dogs residing in the City of
Wilmington. The fine for an unlicensed dog ranges from $50 to $100 for the
first offense.
Licenses can be obtained in person from the Division of Fish and Wildlife
licensing desk at DNREC's main office at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, or from
many veterinary clinics, pet shops, sporting goods and department stores
throughout the state. For more information, including a complete listing
of license agents, or to purchase a license online, please visit
www.fw.delaware.gov/info/DogControl.htm.
To encourage spaying and neutering, licenses for sterilized dogs cost $3
for one year and licenses for unsterilized dogs are $6. Two-year and
three-year licenses are available if a rabies certificate is valid for the
period. A rabies vaccination certificate including vaccination and
expiration dates is required to obtain a license. The rabies expiration
date must occur after March 1 of the year the dog license expires.
According to Patrick Emory, Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife,
purchasing a license and attaching it to their dog's collar is one of the
most important things an owner can do to protect their dog. "Each year
hundreds of dogs are lost or separated from their owners. A dog license is
the best way to ensure that if this happens, a dog and its owner can be
reunited safely and quickly," he said.
Funds from license sales help support the statewide dog control program,
for which the Kent County SPCA has held the contract since 2006.
Responsibilities for dog control include picking up stray dogs, answering
dog complaints, responding to dangerous dog issues and inspecting dog
kennels. To report dog control problems, including the location of
shelters to receive stray dogs, call the Kent County SPCA at 302-698-3006
or 888-352-7722 toll-free.
Wilmington residents should contact the Delaware SPCA at Stanton by
calling 302-998-2281 or the Delaware Humane Association at 302-571-0111
for information on licensing their dogs.
To report information on a dog bite or possible rabies exposure, call the
Rabies Control 24-Hour Hotline at 302-744-4545.
For more information on DNREC's dog license program, contact Lynn Herman,
Delaware Dog Control Administrator, at 302-739-9911.
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This story is also available on DNREC Online at
http://www.dnrec.state.de.us/dnrec2000/admin/press/story1.asp?PRID=2826 or
check the DNREC Online Home Page at http://www.dnrec.state.de.us .