The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is advising that representatives of the Commissionaires, acting as contracted Chatham-Kent by-law enforcement officers, will be visiting residents throughout Chatham-Kent during June and July to ensure that all dogs have a 2014 municipal dog tag.
The cost of a dog tag is $38.00 per dog, which includes the late fee if the owner provides up-to-date rabies information and the dog has been sterilized. Otherwise, additional fees apply. The by-law enforcement officers will be identified by their Commissionaires uniform and a Municipality of Chatham-Kent identification name tag. In addition, the officers will be driving marked Commissionaires vehicles.
Municipal By-law 176-2005 requires that all dog owners obtain municipal tags for their dogs by March 1 of each year. Any resident who has received a warning and neglected to purchase a 2014 dog tag will risk a fine.
“Door-to-door enforcement has proven to be a very effective tool in letting people know about the importance of purchasing a dog tag,” said Nancy Havens, Manager of Licensing Services.
Residents who have not yet purchased 2014 municipal dog tags may still do so by visiting the Chatham-Kent Civic Centre or any other municipal centre within Chatham-Kent. Residents should be aware that they will be charged an additional $10 late fee, as they are purchasing after the March 1 deadline. Dog owners risk being fined $240 for failing to purchase a tag.
The revenue collected from the sale of dog tags helps to support the municipality’s Dog Control Program, providing for the care and feeding of lost or stray dogs and the placement of homeless dogs.
For more information on dog tags and animal control, please contact the Municipality of Chatham-Kent at 519.360.1998.
