SUNBURY - Northumberland County Treasurer Kevin P. Gilroy warned all dog owners that 2013 dog licenses are now past due.
Licenses must be renewed each year by Jan. 1 no matter when the previous year's dog license was purchased. Licenses are valid from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 each year.
State law requires all dogs three months of age or older to have a license for the current year. Owners who fail to purchase a license face a $300 fine plus court costs per dog, Gilroy said.
The license fee is $6.45 for each spayed or neutered dog and $8.45 for other dogs. Seniors and persons with disabilities may purchase a license for $4.45 for spayed or neutered dogs and $6.45 for others. Licenses can be purchased and a copy printed from www.padoglicense.com. There is a $2 service fee per license.
Those who get a license online will receive an e-mail notification to renew the license at the end of the year. A license purchased online is valid immediately; the dog's metal tags will be mailed by the treasurer's office the same day.
Dog owners may also stop by the treasurer's office to get a dog license between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office is closed on holidays. If applying by mail, send a completed dog application with a check made payable to Northumberland County Treasurer, 399 S. Fifth St., Sunbury, Pa. 17801.
For those who no longer have their dog, call the treasurer's office at 988-4161 to update records.
Additionally, all dogs and feral cats three months of age and older must be vaccinated against rabies. Booster vaccinations must be administered periodically to maintain lifelong immunity.
Dog wardens are currently canvassing the county using the PADogLicense.com real time system and might be visiting neighborhoods without notice at any time to verify that all dogs are licensed and have the proper rabies vaccination papers.