Changes in dog licensing proposed
The Select Board at its meeting on Oct. 6. Photo by Tanvi Kulkarni
The Select Board at its meeting on Oct. 6. Photo by Tanvi Kulkarni
Animal Control Officer Kelly Jarabek has proposed two changes in dog-related bylaws for Town Meeting to consider this fall.
Speaking to the Select Board on Oct. 6, she explained why she wants to require the dog licenses be obtained in the first three months of each year and why the “seeing-eye dog” definition should be expanded to allow all “service dogs” on town beaches and other areas.
The bylaw change will require residents to license their dogs between Jan. 1 and March 31. A $10 late fee will be required if licensing is overdue. Currently, licensing is open year-round.
Jarabek said dogs need to be licensed each year, and people who register dogs later in the year need to renew their license in January.
“If you license your dog on Dec. 13, that is only good until Dec. 31. A lot of people do not understand that,” Jarabek said.
Every surrounding town follows this system with allotted-time licensing, Jarabek said. This change will make hosting rabies and vaccine clinics easier and potentially allow for a rabies clinic with onsite licensing, allowing people to complete both tasks in one day.
“This is what I call cleaning up the paperwork and making it consistent with everyone else,” Select Board Member Judith Whiteside said.
The second proposed change involves broadening “ seeing-eye dogs” to service dogs, which will allow all service dogs to perform tasks like accompanying their owner to the beach.
“Just suggesting that one thing covers us through [American with Disabilities Act] compliance,” Jarabek said.
Whiteside emphasized that other dogs, including emotional support and comfort dogs, are not allowed on the town’s public beaches.
