Dog Tags Required, Available Through May 31

Now is the time to license your dog. In Westborough, all dogs must be licensed every year between the months of April and May.

“It’s safety issue. A dog must have a rabies certification. If a dog were to bite a child, for example,” said . “To get a license, you must prove the rabies is up to date.”

Yendriga said that dogs must be licensed by six months of age. Owners must bring proof of neutering or spaying if it is a new dog and a current rabies certificate. The fee for a neutered or spayed dog is $10. If the dog is not neutered or spayed, the cost is $15.

Late fees will go into effect on June 1. The late fee is $3 for the first week and $1 each week after that.

According to the Annual Town Report, 1,763 dogs were licensed in Westbrough in 2011. The sale of dog licenses totaled $17,521.50. Dog fines, which Yendriga said mostly include fees for overdue licensing, totaled $3,316.

Yendriga said that veterinarians file rabies information with the Town Clerk’s office, so the town is notified if there is an unlicensed dog. “People often wonder how we find out about their dogs,” she said.

Dog owners can get a license at the Town Clerk’s office on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to noon. The office is located in , 34 West Main St.

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