County Dog License Situation

S.C. Ellis

7/15/2009

I was just reading about the reinstatement of licensing for dogs in St. Mary's County. The county dog licensing office says that there were only about a thousand dogs licensed in the County which is why it was dropped in 2008 but the estimates of actual dogs owned is many upon many thousands who are not licensed but who should be. To me it seems to make sense if the county wants the dog owners to license their dogs, make it be easier and more accessible for the owners to do so. Make the form(s) available on line to download and print out, then send or take in with proper papers from vet and the fee. (The fee is very reasonable, only $2 per dog if neutered/spayed.) More than one location in the county to go to license the dogs I think would certainly encourage dog owners to get their dogs licensed. Suggestions: Make licensing available through certain animal hospitals in the area? Send out a form to all county residents through the local newspapers or have forms available to pick up at the Post Offices? Have a link to the forms on TBN? Have the forms available in the pet department or sporting goods counter at Wal-Mart; just about everyone in the area goes shopping there! Have forms available at other larger stores that have pet goods and supplies, such as Petco in California MD and Petsmart in Waldorf MD. Have forms availalbe at county park offices especially Lancaster Park that has a dog off-leash area. If St Mary's County wants dog owners to register their dogs, then make it accessible for them to do this and at hours when people who work can get it done. Don't just sit there and say people are not licensing their dogs but get out there and do something to encourage them to follow the state and county law.

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