Plan Afoot To Hike Annual PA Dog License Fees

HARRISBURG, PA —Pennsylvania second lady Gisele Fetterman and several state elected and administrative officials want to raise annual dog license fees in the state from $6.50 to $10.

Fetterman, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, state Sen. Judy Schwank of Berks County and state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski of Luzerne County contend the increase is necessary to save the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement. The agency works to crack down on illegal puppy mills and kennels, ensure safe conditions for dogs living in breeding kennels, inspect licensed kennels, monitor and track dangerous dogs, investigate dog bites and reunite lost dogs with their families.

Schwank and Pashinski have introduced dual legislation in the Senate and House to raise the dog license fee to properly fund the bureau.

"Dog licenses cost less than the cost of a chew toy," Redding said in a news release. "Our neighboring states charge up to $20 and the national average for an annual license is $10."

Added Gisele Fetterman, wife of Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman: “It breaks my heart to think of the abused and neglected dogs that could be overlooked without proper enforcement. Our pup, Levi, was chained outside for the first two years of his life. He was rescued because the
resources were there to save him.”

All dogs three months and older are required to be licensed. The cost of an annual license has been $6.50 since 1996.

For more than a century, the bureau was funded exclusively by dog license sales. But to keep the bureau operating, tax dollars now are being shifted to the agency. For the 2020-21 fiscal year, the bureau received $1.2 million; another $1.5 million is proposed for 2021-22.

"So many people across the commonwealth view their dogs as family. Right now, we aren't doing enough at the state level to ensure their safety,” Schwank said. “A modest dog licensing increase would allow the underfunded Dog Law Enforcement Bureau to provide the kind of oversight
we need to make sure our canine friends are safe and healthy."