Dog Licenses

Click here for Dog Licensing Fees

• Licenses must be renewed during June of each year.
• Rabies Certificate is required for licensing.
• Neutering or Spaying Certificates must be presented if applicable.

Why is licensing so important?

The purpose of licensing today is different from its original intention. In the mid 1800's dogs were required to be licensed in an effort to help control the spread of rabies, a disease which was prevalent in the domestic dog population in the United States. In more recent times licensing has been used for various other reasons: control of roaming dogs, reduction of domestic dog damage, identification of dogs involved in bite/attack incidents, owner identification and location, rabies control (still a present issue), and a source of revenue for municipal and state canine control programs such as the Animal Population Program.

A number of studies have been conducted to determine the effects of aggressive licensing programs. Many states have found that an active licensing program helps reduce stray dogs, dog bites and attacks, promiscuous breeding, and helps reunite owners with their dogs in a more timely manner. Licensing and strict enforcement of licensing laws helps resolve problems in those areas. By establishing licensing as a priority, activities in other areas involving dogs will be reduced. Pet ownership responsibility, which is brought out by licensing, is another derived benefit.

Did you know that a dog wearing a license is easier to deal with, requires less time, and does not cost the town or dog owner as much money as a dog which is not licensed? If a dog is captured and is wearing a license the owner can be notified promptly, saving impoundment time, advertising fees, and care during impoundment. If a person is bitten/attacked by a dog with a license, the medical history can be obtained from the owner in a short period of time - thus relieving the anxiety of having to go through the rabies series. We should not lose sight of the fact that rabies is found in our state’s wildlife population.

2016 is the year of the new  Mansfield  license campaign “Love ‘em, License ‘em”, to increase the awareness about licensing in our community.

The animal control department conducts an annual door-to-door survey in the fall to make sure cats and dogs are vaccinated against rabies and dogs are licensed.