Tully, New York - Dog License

Dog License

Dog License Article 7 relates to the licensing, identification, and control of dogs and the animal population control program in New York State and is administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Dogs harbored in New York City, however, must be licensed by the New York City Dept. of Health. Local officials, generally animal control officers or dog control officers, are responsible for enforcing Article 7. Further information may be obtained by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Division of Animal Industry, 1 Winners Circle, Albany, NY 12235, 518-457-2728.

What dogs must be licensed?

Every dog owned or harbored in New York State for longer than 30 days must be licensed. The only exemptions are: dogs under six months of age not running at large dogs harbored in New York City (these dogs must be licensed by the NYC Dept. Health) if a non-resident brings a dog into New York State for less than 30 days and the dog is licensed according to the resident state's licensing laws dogs confined to the premises of any public or private hospital, research institution or a Class A Dealer with a certificate of exemption from the Commissioner.

How to License Your Dog Apply for a dog license at your local licensing agent. In the Town of Tully, this is the Tully Town Clerk located in the Tully Municipal Building, 5833 Meetinghouse Rd. Office hours are Mon Tues Thurs 1pm-4pm and Wed 9am-1pm. For guide dogs, war dogs, hearing dogs, police work dogs or service dogs, satisfactory proof is required, such as a training certificate, etc., for licenses.

In addition to the application, the owner will need: if the dog is spayed or neutered, a certificate from a licensed veterinarian or an affidavit from the owner showing that the dog has been spayed or neutered, unless this proof is already on file with the clerk. All dogs three months or older must have proof of a rabies vaccination signed by a licensed veterinarian or a certificate stating why the life of the dog would be endangered by the vaccine.

License Fees

The statutory license fees are: $2.50 for spayed or neuetered dogs $10.50 for unspayed or unneutered dogs. $3.00 of this fee is used to fund the Animal Population Control Program. NO FEE for Guide, War, Hearing, Police Work, or Service dogs. In addition to the state fees, any licensing municipality may impose a local license fee up to $10. Call the Town of Tully Clerk, 696-4693, for information on the local Tully fee. License Renewal Forms will be mailed directly to the dog owner by the Dept. of Agriculture and Markets.

How to Change a License

To ensure the accuracy of license records, it is essential that any change to the information on the license be provided to the local licensing agent, who in turn will notify the New York State Dept. of Agriculture and Markets so that records can be updated. The owner must provide in writing any of the following changes: dog ownership dog owner's address loss or theft of the dog (and if the dog is found, its return) death of a dog.

Distribution of Dog License Monies

Any local fees collected are kept by the licensing municipality (Town of Tully) for dog control services and enforcement of Article 7 of the Agriculture and Markets Law. The state fee is apportioned as follows: 53% is retained by the licensing municipality for dog control and enforcement of Article 7 of the Agriculture and Markets law. 30% is sent to the county to reimburse livestock animal owners for dog damage claims. Any unused money is returned to the licensing municipalities annually. 17% is forwarded to the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets to provide all dog license forms and identification tags, send renewal applications, and maintain the centralized database of dog licenses. From this 17% share, a $.10 fee for each license issued is remitted to Cornell Veterinary College for dog disease studies. All other fees, such as impoundment fees and fines and/or penalties for violations, are retained by the collecting municipality.

Local Dog Control Services

In the Town of Tully, the Dog Control Officer is Madeline Despres, 696-8223. Every licensing town, city or village must have a Dog Control Officer (DCO) and municipal shelter services. The DCO and shelter service enforces both State and any local dog laws and ordinances. Further, it is the DCO's responsibility to pick up lost and stray dogs and humanely care for them until they can be reunited with their owners. If your dog is lost, or you find a lost dog, immediately contact your local DCO or shelter. Owners should seek lost, unidentified dogs at the municipal shelter. If a dog is lost but identified with a NYS identification tag, the DCO will contact the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets to trace the dog tag to the owner. The local dog control officer must institute action for violations of both state and local laws. Fines or civil penalties shall be up to $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second, and $100 for the third and subsequent offenses. If dogs injure or kill livestock, the local assessor should be notified immediately. Do NOT destroy or bury the animals. They must be available for examination so the assessor can appraise the damage.

Rabies Vaccinations

Onondaga County has seen an increase in the incidence of rabies over the past several years. Dog and cat owners should have their pets vaccinated by their veterinarian, or at a Rabies Vaccination Clinic sponsored by the Onondaga County Health Department Animal Disease Prevention. For more information, pick up a Vaccination Clinic Schedule at the Tully Municipal Building, or call Animal Disease Prevention at 315-435-3165. Do not try to feed wild animals that might have rabies. Do not keep them as pets. Raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats, and other wild animals may be infected with rabies and should not be touched. Stay away from stray animals. Cats and dogs that roam outdoors are more likely to be infected with rabies and may bite you. Do not try to feed or pet them. Make sure that your home and yard do not attract raccoons. Keep garbage cans tightly convered. Do not leave pet food outdoors. Cap chimneys and seal places where raccoons and other animals can get in and hide. Have your pets vaccinated against rabies, and keep the vaccination up-to-date. If your pet has been in a fight with a wild or stray animal, wear gloves to handle your pet, and call your veterinarian. If you are bitten or scratched, wash the wound with lots of soap and water, and call your doctor immediately. Report all animal bites to the Animal Disease Control office of the Onondaga County Health Department at 315-435-3165.