PA State Agriculture Secretary Announces New Reimbursement Rates For Stray, Unlicensed Dogs
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HARRISBURG, Pa., June 6 /PRNewswire/ -- State Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff announced today that the Department of Agriculture will double the amount it will pay for services rendered by a municipal law enforcement agency, SPCA or humane society for the holding of stray, unlicensed dogs apprehended running at large. Effective July 1, this payment will increase to $20 per dog from $10.
"Pennsylvania's Dog Law requires these facilities to hold a stray dog for a minimum of 48 hours," Wolff said. "Yet, unlike many other states, the commonwealth does not have an infrastructure of government-funded animal control facilities. The result is a real problem for Dog Law enforcement as Dog Wardens and police have fewer places where they can take stray dogs. We have decided to raise the reimbursement fee to $20 with hope of stopping further loss of facilities to handle stray dogs."
The Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement funds this reimbursement through the sale of individual dog and kennel licenses through the Dog Law Restricted Account.
Wolff added that properly licensed dogs help ensure that dogs are reunited with their owners. All dogs over the age of three months are required to have a current state license, and be vaccinated against rabies.
Dog owners may purchase a license by:
-- Downloading the Dog License Application (PDF) from the Department's
Web site at http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/. The completed form
should be mailed to your county treasurer.
-- Visiting your county treasurer's office to purchase a license.
-- Asking your county treasurer's office for a statewide list of agents
who sell licenses.
Questions about the reimbursement program or dog licenses should be directed to the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement at 717-787-3062.
