Town of Sweden announces changes to dog licensing law

The Town of Sweden announced changes to the dog-licensing program, effective January 15. The new law requires that a dog license may not be issued for a time period extending beyond the expiration date of a dog's rabies certificate.

Dog licenses issued on and after January 15, must not expire after the expiration date of the dog's rabies certificate. In order to receive a full year license, a dog that is due for a rabies vaccination booster within the next license year would need to be immunized prior to license renewal.

This change affects all dogs licensed in New York state, except those licensed in New York City, which has a separate dog licensing law. There are more than 1,220 dogs licensed in the Town of Sweden.

Pursuant to the New York Public Health Law, county public health authorities must offer free clinics at least every four months for the rabies vaccination of dogs, as well as for cats and domesticated ferrets.

For more information regarding the changes to the dog licensing program in the Town of Sweden, call the Town Clerk's office at 637-2144.

January 15, 2006