Fine sought for Shelter Island dogs found without ID

Shelter Island Town officials, upset by dogs that are allowed to run loose without any identifying tags, are considering imposing a $25 fine for the first 24 hours a dog is held by the town animal control department and $15 a day for each additional day.

But town officials said they would rather return a dog to its owner than collect a fine, so the board has included a provision that the fine can be waived if the dog has a license and is wearing a tag or other device showing how to return the animal to its owner.

The town board has scheduled a public hearing on the proposed fine at its next public meeting, on Feb. 22 at 4:30 p.m. All board meetings are in Town Hall.