Rules for Dog Owners

General Rules - Licensing

Your dog must be licensed. State law requires that every dog 4 months of age or older must be licensed. A license may be obtained at the town clerk's office. It must be renewed every year prior to the expiration date. An unlicensed dog violates state law and is subject to seizure by the town.

Getting a license. You may obtain a dog license at the town clerk's office.  In order to get a license, you must provide a certificate of rabies vaccination, available from your veterinarian. If your dog is spayed or neutered, the certificate of neutering/spaying must be presented in order to obtain the discounted license.

License renewals. Your dog's license expires each year and must be renewed prior to its expiration. Failure to renew your dog's license may result in court action and a fine, as well as a late fee of $5.00 per month.

Renewals may be mailed to the town clerk with the appropriate fee and certificates.  Original certificates will be returned to you. If your dog dies or you sell or give it up for adoption, you should also notify the town clerk.

Control of your dog - Town Laws

In addition to licensing, a town ordinance governs your possession of a dog (Chapter 24 of the Town Code). It is your responsibility, as a dog owner, to be familiar with the town's law.

It is illegal for you to let your dog:

a.) run loose;
b.) howl, bark or whine habitually so that it annoys your neighbors;
c.) destroy or damage someone else's property;
d.) defecate or urinate on someone else's property.
e.) intimidate, threaten or harass someone so that he is in apprehension of bodily injury;
f.) chase or run alongside of cars or bicycles.

See penalties for the fines you could pay if convicted of a violation of this law.

Seizure of dogs. An unlicensed dog, or a dog that violates any of the above provisions of the town's law, may be seized.

Redemption of seized dog. Each dog which can not be identified shall be held for a period of 5 full days from the day seized. During that time, you may redeem your dog if you prove that the dog has been licensed and you can identify it. You must pay impound fees. When the town seizes any identified dog, it is held for 7 full days if notification is personally given; and 9 full days if notification is made by mail. You may redeem a seized dog upon payment of an impound fee and veterinary fees, payable to the town clerk.

Adoption. An owner shall forfeit title to any dog unredeemed at the expiration of the appropriate redemption period, and the dog shall then be made available for adoption or euthanized.

From time to time, the town has dogs available for adoption. Contact the town clerk for more information.

Penalties for Violations

In addition to seizure, a violation of the town's dog control ordinance may subject you to court action. Any person convicted of a violation of the town's dog control ordinance may be subject to fines as follows:

• 1st violation -$25.00
• 2nd violation -$75.00*
• 3rd violation -$100.00*(within preceding 5 years)

Key Contacts

Dog Control Officer/Town Shelter:

Julie Polulech: 607-544-4151 (cell) 607-293-7560 (home)

Constable(dog complaints):

Jeff Robinson: 607-434-5270

Town Shelter:

Susquehanna Animal Shelter 4841 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326  607-547-8111

Veterinarians:

Community Veterinary Center 4109 St. Hwy. 7, Oneonta, NY 13820 607-432-0050

Oneonta Veterinarian Hospital: 525 Main Street, Oneonta, NY 13820 607-432-8570

Town Court:(questions about summonses, violations, court appearances, etc.)

607-432-0124

Monday- Friday, 8:30 AM -5:00 PM

Dog license information:

Ryan F. Pereira, Town Clerk/Collector

607-432-2900. Monday- Friday, 8:30 AM -3:00 PM

Please complete and mail this form to the Town Clerk along with the appropriate fee, current rabies certificate and neutering certificate, if applicable.

Schedule of fees:

State fees:
Unneutered **$3.00 or Neutered *$1.00

+

Town fees:
Unneutered $15.00 or Neutered $9.00

= 

Total license fee:
Unneutered **$18.00 or Neutered *$10.00

* Fee includes a $1.00 surcharge remitted to New York State ASPCA for Animal Population Control Program (neutered/ spayed)
**Fee includes a $3.00 surcharge remitted to New York State ASPCA for Animal Population Control Program (unneutered/ unspayed)