Dog Wardens Going Door To Door In Bucks County Next Month

Is your dog licensed? Vaccinated for rabies? Make sure he is by May 24.

The Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement will be conducting a license canvas in Bucks County that day, according to local police.

"Multiple" wardens will be going door to door to check dog licenses and rabies vaccinations, according to an announcement from Newtown Township Police Department. Authorities did not reveal specifically which neighborhoods the dog wardens will be visiting.

Owners of unlicensed dogs face fines of to $300 per animal.

To make sure your pet is in compliance, here's a refresher on Pennsylvania’s Rabies Law:

• Dogs and cats three months or older must have a current rabies vaccination.
• Owners of non-vaccinated pets may be fined up to $300, plus court costs.
• Licensed veterinarians can vaccinate dogs and provide a vaccination certificate.
• Dog wardens perform random checks to ensure rabies vaccinations are current.

And here are the rules on dog licensing:

• All dogs three months or older must be licensed by Jan. 1 of each year.
• Owners of non-licensed dogs can be cited with a maximum fine of $300 per dog, plus court costs.
• Dog wardens randomly canvass neighborhoods to ensure all dogs are licensed. Violators may be fined.
• If your dog gets lost, a current license is the fastest way to get your dog back home.
• Licensing fees help protect the millions of dogs in Pennsylvania by funding the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement.
• Purchase a license from your local county treasurer or issuing agent.
• An annual license is $8.50 and a lifetime license is $51.50. If your dog is spayed or neutered, the annual fee is $6.50 and lifetime is $31.50. Discounts are available to older adults and people with disabilities.

Click here to learn how to purchase a dog license in Bucks County.

Photo by Kara Seymour