Gallatin dog licenses expired June 30
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Gallatin residents who fail to properly license their dogs may face additional fees and possibly a citation, according to Gallatin Police Chief Jim Wycoff.
Gallatin dog licenses expired June 30 and a notice was placed in the North Missourian by the city.
Chief Wycoff recently reviewed the city’s dog licensing records and discovered a noticeable drop off in the number of dog owners obtaining the required licenses since 1999.
“I don’t believe that ownership of dogs has dropped off that dramatically,” said Mr. Wycoff. “In fact, I am reasonably sure that dog ownership has actually increased over that period of time.”
New residents in the area may be unaware of the licensing requirement, but Chief Wycoff believes most of the problem lies with peoples’ tendency to procrastinate.
In response to the numbers, city hall issued a mandate to the police department to make a more concerted effort to enforce the dog licensing ordinance.
Chief Wycoff said the police department will first try to find the owners of unlicensed dogs and encourage them to obtain the appropriate licenses.
That effort will be followed up to assure that the warnings are being complied with.
“If they are not, then summonses will be issued,” said Chief Wycoff.
If those efforts fail to generate compliance, then the police will impound dogs found without licenses and the owners will be required to pay the impound fee, the dog license fee, and possibly receive a citation for the dog not being properly licensed.
Licenses may be obtained from city hall. If the dog is spayed or neutered the cost is $3. If the dog has not yet been neutered or spayed the fee is $5. Dog owners must present certification of current rabies vaccination when applying.
The license tag must be worn by the dog at all times including when they are out of doors on owners’ property. Animal control and police officers are authorized by city ordinance to enter upon private property to check dogs to make sure they are properly licensed. Dogs without a license may be impounded at any time they are out of doors.
The primary reason for the licensing is to guarantee that dogs kept by residents in Gallatin have been properly vaccinated for rabies.
“This helps the city manage the problems that could be caused by dogs that have not received a rabies shot,” said Chief Wycoff. “By keeping unvaccinated dogs to a minimum we are able to prevent an outbreak of rabies much more effectively.”
Chief Wycoff said the licenses also help the police return lost dogs or loose dogs to their owner more quickly. “We are able to much more easily trace the tag to the owner. The dog won’t need to be impounded or away from home any longer than is absolutely necessary.”
Chief Wycoff said he preferred the citizens of the community would voluntarily get their dogs vaccinated and licensed for their sake and their pets sake.
“I can’t begin to tell you the number of times I get called about someone’s beloved dog being missing,” said Chief Wycoff. “Almost every time this happens I ask if the dog has a city license or any type of tag and am regularly told that it doesn’t. I know how stressful it is to have a beloved pet go missing. Getting your dogs licensed is a small price to pay for peace of mind.”
For more information, contact the Gallatin Police Department or GAAWA (Gallatin Area Animal Welfare Alliance) at 663-3580.