Town Clerk: Canine population on upswing in Swampscott

SWAMPSCOTT – There were approximately 350 more registered dogs in town last year than there were three years ago, according to Town Clerk Sue Duplin.?In 2010 we had 1,149 registered dogs,” Duplin said. “It is way up from what it used to be. Four years ago we had about 700 registered dogs.”Duplin said in 2009 there were 1.022 dogs registered and 820 licensed dogs in 2008.Duplin attributes much of the increase to crosschecking dog licenses with census data.?The census asks if a resident has a dog,” Duplin said. “We look at the census and check to see if there is a dog registered at that address. We’ve caught a bunch of non-registered dogs that way. If there isn’t a dog registered we contact the resident and ask them to register their dog.”Duplin said dog licenses expire on Dec. 31 each year and residents are required to register their dogs annually. The fee for neutered or spayed dogs is $10 per animal and the fee for non-neutered or non-spayed canines is $25. Duplin said a $5 late fee would be charged for anyone registering their dog after Feb. 1.Duplin added state law requires the dog owner to provide a copy of a current rabies certificate to the town clerk, who keeps it on file.Any resident, who has not received a dog license application can pick one up in Town Hall or download one from www.town.swampscott.ma.us.