Town of Hamlin
Dog Control Services

New York State Dog License

Who Should Obtain:

• Every dog, regardless of age, owned or harbored in New York State for longer than 30 days, must be licensed.
• The following are the only exceptions:
• If a non-resident brings a dog into New York State for less than 30 days and the dog is licensed according to the resident state's licensing laws
• Dogs confined to the premises of any public or private hospital, research institution or a Class A Dealer with a certificate of exemption from the Commissioner

Where to Obtain:

• Apply for a dog license at your local licensing agent. This would be the clerk of the town
• Town Clerk's Office, Hamlin Town Hall, 1658 Lake Road
• Monday - Friday 8 AM - 4 PM
  - Sept 1st - May 31st Mon. evenings until 6 PM
• Annual license renewals can be done by mail or in person at the Town Clerk's Office.

When to Obtain:

• When your dog is 4 months of age and has received a rabies shot.
• For any dog owned or harbored in New York State for longer then 30 days, with license renewal annually.
• Renewal paperwork will be sent directly to the dog owner from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Documents Required to Obtain:

• In addition to the application provided by the Town Clerk, the owner will need:
• If the dog is spayed or neutered, a certificate from a licensed veterinarian or an affidavit from the owner showing that the dog has been spayed or neutered, unless this proof is already on file with the clerk
• All dogs three months or older must have proof of a rabies vaccination signed by a licensed veterinarian or a certificate stating why the life of the dog would be endangered by the vaccine
• For guide dogs, war dogs, hearing dogs, police dogs or service dogs, satisfactory proof is required, such as a training certificate
• If you are interested in a purebred license, contact your local licensing clerk
• A check payable to municipal licensing agent (Town Clerk) for appropriate license fee
• No refund will be made after a license has been validated
• Renewal:
• Paperwork sent to you by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
• Proof of up to date rabies vaccination.
• If dog has been spayed or neutered in last year that documentation is also required.

Cost to Obtain:

• New or renewal, price is the same, see below
  

  Spayed or neutered	Not spayed or neutered
  $7.50	$15.50

  
  
• There are no license fees for guide dogs, war dogs, hearing dogs, police dogs, or service dogs
• After the application and appropriate certificates are filed and the license fee has been paid, the license will be validated for one year by the municipal licensing agent. Each dog is assigned a permanent official identification number and issued a metal ID tag which is to be attached to the dog's collar. The same tag is used year to year.

How are Dog License Monies Used:

• Any local fees and 53% of statutory fees collected are kept by the licensing municipality for dog control services and enforcement of Article 7 of the Agriculture and Markets law
  
• The remainder of the statutory fee is apportioned as follows:
• 30% is sent to the county to reimburse livestock animal owners for dog damage claims. Any unused money is returned to the towns annually
• 17% is forwarded to the N.Y.S. Department of Agriculture and Markets to provide all dog license forms and identification tags, process renewal applications, dog licenses, identification tags, and maintain the centralized database of dog licenses
• From this 17%, a 20 cent fee for each license issued is provided to Cornell Veterinary College for dog disease studies
• All other fees, such as impoundment fees and fines, and/or penalties for violations are retained by the collecting municipality.

How to Change a License:

• To ensure the accuracy of license records, it is essential that any change to the information on the license be provided to the local licensing agent (Town Clerk's office) who in turn will notify the Department of Agriculture and Markets so that records can be updated. The owner must provide in writing any of the following changes:
• Dog ownership
• Dog owner's address
• Loss or theft of the dog (and if the dog is found, its return)
• Death of a dog

Local Dog Control Services:

• Town of Hamlin Dog Control Services, pager #525-1608
• Dog Control enforces Article 7 and any local dog laws and ordinances. Further, it is their responsibility to pick up lost and stray dogs and humanely care for them until they can be reunited with their owners.
• If your dog is lost or you find a lost dog, immediately contact Dog Control
• Dog Control must institute action for violations of both state and local laws
• Pickup Fees (Within a year)
• 1st offense - $10.00
• 2nd offense - $25.00
• 3rd offense - $50.00
• 4th offense - $75.00
• 5th offense - $100.00
• Kennel Charge $10.00 Daily Rate.
• If dogs injure or kill livestock, the local assessor should be notified immediately. Do NOT destroy or bury the animals. They must be available for examination so the assessor can appraise the damage.

See Also:

• Dog Bites
• How to avoid getting bitten
• What to do if you are bitten
• Complaint to have a dog confined
• Dog Control Duties
• Rabies

~ ~ ~

James Atkins
Dog Control Officer
Pager: 525-1608
Email: hamlindogcontrol@frontiernet.net

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