January 28th, 2023
Dear Residents,
Please see below and attached from the Pike County Dog Warden.
Good Morning,
It’s dog license time again, and also a good time to remind dog owners about Pennsylvania Dog Laws. Please feel free to use this information to help insure the safety of your community.
Pennsylvania’s Dog Laws:
– If your dog is not licensed, you may be fined up to $300 per dog. Get a license at your county treasurer’s office.
– Your dog must be under control and supervised at all times. You are responsible for any damages caused by your dog on someone else’s property.
– It is illegal to mistreat or abuse animals. Report suspected abuse to your local humane organization or police.
– Purposely poisoning a dog, whether it is yours or someone else’s, is illegal.
– You may not abandon or attempt to abandon any dog. You could be fined $1,000 plus court costs.
– Puppies under eight weeks old cannot be bartered, traded, sold, or transferred.
– You must have a kennel license if you keep, sell, transfer, adopt or foster at least 26 dogs in a calendar year.
– If your dog attacks or kills a human or domestic animal without provocation, it may be considered dangerous. You may face extensive fines and restrictions.
Pennsylvania’s Rabies Law:
Ignoring Pennsylvania’s rabies vaccination law can be costly – in more ways than one. Dogs and cats are exposed to the rabies virus through wild and stray animals, posing a threat to their health and yours.
– Dogs and cats three months or older must have a current rabies vaccination
– Owners of non-vaccinated pets may be fined up to $300 plus court costs
– Licensed veterinarians can vaccinate dogs and provide a vaccination certificate
– Dog wardens perform random checks to ensure rabies vaccinations are current
License Your Dog. It’s the Law:
– All dogs three months or older must be licensed by Jan. 1 of each year
– Owners of non-licensed dogs can be cited with a maximum fine of $300 per dog plus court costs
– Dog wardens randomly canvass neighborhoods to ensure all dogs are licensed, violators may be fined
– If your dog gets lost, a current license is the fastest way to get your dog back home
– Licensing fees help the millions of dogs in Pennsylvania by funding the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement
– Purchase a license from your local county treasurer or issuing agent
– An annual license is $8.50 and a lifetime license is $51.50, if your dog is spayed or neutered, the annual fee is $6.50 and lifetime is $31.50, discounts are available to older adults and people with disabilities
Find out how to purchase your 2023 dog license visit:
James Rickert – State Dog Warden
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement
Pike & Wayne Counties
2301 North Cameron Street
Harrisburg Pa 17110
570-350-3589
Sincerely,
Scott Matthews Jr.
Community Manager
