Babylon Town dog licenses will be as little as $1, with fees lowered for summer

You can’t buy much for a dollar these days, but now it can get you peace of mind for your dog.

The Town of Babylon has lowered its fees for dog licenses this summer in an effort to get more people to register their pooches and keep them safe. Getting a license is absolute proof of ownership, said Town Clerk Gerry Compitello, and can quickly help locate a lost dog’s family.

“In the summer, people are out, they go to parades, they go to parties, they’re outside with their dogs and the dogs get loose,” Compitello said.

The fee for a one-year license for a spayed/neutered dog is $1, down from $6.50. A three-year license that normally costs $15 will cost $3, and one- and three-year licenses for dogs that are not spayed or neutered will cost $6 and $18, down from $16.50 and $45, respectively.

Chris Elton, director of the town’s animal shelter, said only a small fraction of owners get licenses. Some get dogs microchipped but never register or update the information. The town last year issued 480 new licenses and renewed another 416.

“It would make our lives easier,” he said of licenses, noting that the shelter took in 557 dogs last year, 164 of which went back to their owner. He said he expects a surge during the July Fourth holiday weekend as frightened pups run off trying to escape fireworks.

Under state law, all dogs must have licenses, which include a collar tag with unique numbers that identify ownership. Having an unlicensed dog in Babylon carries a minimum fine of $250.

When applying, owners must present a certificate showing their canine received a rabies shot.

The reduced fees will stay in effect through Sept. 30.

By Denise M. Bonilla

denise.bonilla@newsday.comdenisebonilla

Denise Bonilla has worked at Newsday since 2003 and covers the Town of Babylon, including the villages of Lindenhurst and Amityville.