Lynn dog licensing period well under way

LYNN – Mr. Magoo, Gizmo, Brutus, Fenway, and the creative Deeogee, short for dog, top the list of the most imaginative pet names in the city.Regardless of their size, breed, or funny name, all dogs in the city six months or older have to be registered or their owner could face possible fines.The annual licensing period usually begins on April 1, but this year residents got a head start on March 1.As of Tuesday, roughly 250 dogs had been registered in the city.The cost to register a dog is $4 for males, $7 for females, unless they are spayed, then the cost drops to $4.When applying or renewing a license, pet owners are advised to bring a copy of the dog’s rabies certificate, the tag number and expiration date to the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, room 201.The vaccine is also mandatory for cats, but a license is not.According to Head Clerk Jean McManus, American pit bull terriers top the list of the most popular dog breeds in the city from February 2007 to present with 115, followed by 84 golden retrievers, 55 poodles, and 50 Labrador retrievers.German shepherds, bull terriers, and Jack Russell terriers are also deemed popular pups.According to McManus, approximately 1,880 dogs were registered in 2007 and 1,550 in 2006.”It certainly is a low number, but it’s pretty good compared to a few years ago when we didn’t even get 1,000 dogs registered,” she said. “But ever since we started mailing out the reminder postcards, the number has really gone up.”However, the number appears slim when compared to the roughly 10,000 dogs that Animal Control Officer Kevin Farnsworth previously estimated reside in the city.McManus attributed the relatively low number to residents either not realizing their dogs have to be registered, or that the law simply slipped their mind.”A lot of people think once they’ve registered their dog, they don’t have to do it again,” she said. “I’ve also had some people say to me that they don’t want the city to know their business, but we’re here as a courtesy for them. You wouldn’t believe the responses we get.”Postcards are typically mailed to the owners of the unregistered canine companions in May or June.”We’ll go through the list in about a month or so to see who hasn’t registered yet, like a process of elimination,” she said. “If you’re over 70 years old, there isn’t a charge to license the dog, but that’s it.”McManus said a fine of $25 is issued for the first offense of failing to register, and $50 for each subsequent offense during the same calendar year.After 21 days from the date of the first offense, a $10 additional fine is issued.