Dog licensing now needs to be completed before April 1

Fall Town Meeting approved bylaw changes that require that dog owners complete licensing by March 31 and allow all service dogs on town beaches.

Animal Control Officer Kelly Jarabek explained the need for the bylaw changes at an Oct. 6 Select Board meeting.

In the past, dog owners could license their dog at any point in the year. However, people who licensed their dogs toward the end of the year usually didn’t renew the license at the beginning of the next year, causing issues.

Now, residents have between Jan. 1 and March 31 to license dogs. A $10 late fee will be required if licensing is overdue. Licenses not renewed by May 1 will be subject to a $50 fee.

Voters also decided to allow all types of service dogs, rather than only “seeing-eye dogs,” on public beaches and marshes, making town laws more ADA-friendly. Non-service dogs, including comfort dogs, will not be allowed on public beaches.

Director of Natural Resources Garry Buckminster said the Board of Health was in favor of the bylaw changes.