Town Clerk Says Early Dog License Registration Saves Money And Provides Other Benefits

It’s time for Chelmsford dog owners to get new tags and this year Town Clerk Ononrina Maloney is on a mission to save dog owners and taxpayers money.

She’s spearheading an effort to remind all Chelmsford residents to register their dogs with a form that is coming in the town census mailed to every home in town.

Her goal is to save money for her office on postage for additional reminder letters in March to those who don’t register by the end of February, hoping also to save those people fines they face under town bylaws.

In 2013, 800 existing dog owners in town did not renew their dog licenses by March 1, with 634 not renewing by April, accruing additional fines.

Maloney said there were even some who have not paid licenses for several years, which leaves dog owners with significant fines as well as the risk of having their dogs taken away by the town under state law provisions.

“Ideally, we’d like to see everyone re-register their dogs right away, but that’s not happening with everyone and we’d like to understand why,” said Maloney. “I know people have a lot to do and they’re busy, but it’s important.”

In addition to state law, licensure can also help let those who might be bitten by dogs know whether or not they will need a rabies shot as well as providing identification to find lost dogs.

Work is being done to get the process online, but for now the registration can be done through the form coming with the census as well as at the Town Clerk’s office.

It’s $15 for a neutered or spayed dog and $20 for a non-neutered or spayed dog.