New Canaan Residents Urged To 'Make Their Beagle Legal' This June

Information via the town of New Canaan

NEW CANAAN, CT — Town Clerk Claudia Weber announced Monday her office will be mailing out thousands of renewal notices and officially announcing the commencement of New Canaan's "make your beagle legal" month.

According to a news release provided by the town, the state of Connecticut requires all dogs ages six months and older to be licensed and wearing their tags by the end of June.

While annual licensing is required by law, it also has benefits, like helping to identify the owners of lost pets. For example, as the Fourth of July approaches, it is important to remember that more dogs get lost on the Fourth of July than any other day of the year, Weber said.

She also noted a dog must be licensed to be a member of New Canaan's dog park, Spencer's Run.

All dogs are required by the state to wear both rabies tags and license tags affixed to their collar or harness at all times, according to Weber.

Both a dog license and tag may be obtained from the town clerk. The cost is $8 if the dog is spayed or neutered, and $19 if the dog is not, Weber said.

As per state law, licenses obtained after June 30 will be penalized with a late charge of $1 per month, in addition to the fees previously mentioned. Dog owners who do not license their dogs could receive a fine from Animal Control of not less than $75.

It doesn’t matter if your pup always stays home, a license is still required, Weber said.

Renewals for dogs with current rabies vaccinations on file with the town clerk can be processed online using a credit card, PayPal or Venmo by going to the town website and then to "online services." Once the payment is made, the dog license and tag will be mailed to the owner, Weber said.

To apply in person, dog owners may appear at the office of the town clerk, located in Town Hall at 77 Main Street, Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Owners are required to provide their dog's updated rabies certificate and remit the appropriate fees by cash or check.

Requests for dog licenses through the mail must include the owner’s name, address, phone number, dog’s name, age, gender, colors, breed, proof of current rabies vaccination, proof of spaying or neutering (if applicable), a self-addressed, stamped return envelope and a check for the appropriate fee made payable to the New Canaan town clerk.

Dog license application forms may be found at the town clerk's section of the town website. Requests by mail can be sent to: Claudia Weber, Town Clerk - Dog Licensing, P.O. Box 447, New Canaan, CT 06840.

Weber also noted in the news release that "100 [percent] compliance is still the goal, so please visit us, write to us or go online and 'make your beagle legal' today!"