Dog License Information
All dogs three months or older must be licensed by Jan. 1 of each year. Violators can be cited with a maximum fine of $300 per violation plus court costs.
An annual license is $8.50 and a lifetime license is $51.50. If the animal is spayed or neutered, the annual fee is $6.50 and lifetime is $31.50. Discounts are available to older adults and people with disabilities.
The small license fee helps the millions of dogs in the state by funding the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement.
Dog licenses are available from your local county treasurer and other licensing agents.
Reasons for dog licensing:
- It’s the law. All dogs three months and older must have a current license.
- If your dog gets lost, a license is the best way to get him back. A license helps animal control and shelters identify your dog and get him back home safely.
- The cost of a license is less than the penalty for being caught without one. Owners who fail to license their dogs could face a fine of up to $300 for each unlicensed dog.
- License fees support animal control. The annual fee you pay to license your dog helps keep shelters running and supports the work of the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, which is responsible for ensuring the welfare of dogs, regulating dangerous dogs and overseeing annual licensing and rabies vaccinations.
Online applications may be found here.
You can also print, fill out and mail your application. The application can be found here. Applications and payment can be mailed to:
Chester County Treasurer’s Office
Attn: Dog License
313 West Market Street, Suite 3202
PO Box 2748
West Chester, PA 19380
For more information regarding Dog Licenses, click here.
Animal Welfare
The Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement is responsible for ensuring the welfare of dogs and puppies in licensed kennels. The Bureau also regulates activities pertaining to dogs that are classified as dangerous, and oversees annual licensure and rabies vaccinations for dogs.
Our state dog wardens:
- Enforce licensing and rabies laws
- Seize and detain any dog viewed running at large without its owner
- Investigate dog bites and establish and enforce quarantine of dogs
- Enforce kennel licensing and regulations through at least two inspections each year of every licensed kennel
- Maintain a registry of dogs declared dangerous by a magisterial district judge and perform dangerous dog inspections
- Prosecute dog law violations in court
- Provide educational services about dog ownership
Pennsylvania’s Dog Laws:
- If your dog is not licensed, you may be fined up to $300 per dog. Get a license at your county treasurer’s office.
- Your dog must be under control and supervised at all times. You are responsible for any damages caused by your dog on someone else’s property.
- It is illegal to mistreat or abuse animals. Report suspected abuse to your local humane organization or police.
- Purposely poisoning a dog, whether it is yours or someone else’s, is illegal.
- You may not abandon or attempt to abandon any dog. You could be fined $1,000 plus court costs.- Puppies under eight weeks old cannot be bartered, traded, sold, or transferred.
- You must have a kennel license if you keep, sell, transfer, adopt or foster at least 26 dogs in a calendar year.
- If your dog attacks or kills a human or domestic animal without provocation, it may be considered dangerous. You may face extensive fines and restrictions.
If you are concerned about animal abuse and would like to report it you are urged to call the Pennsylvania State Police.
Emergencies: 9-1-1
Non-Emergencies: (610) 268-2022
Chester County Dog Warden
Maureen Siddons
(P) (610) 909-5666
Dog Law Act
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
(P) (717) 787-3062 Large Animal Protection Society (LAPS)
(P) (610) 869-9880 Local Animal Rescues
Wildlife
The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s website has a lot of information on it; if you have questions regarding hunting, wildlife emergencies, violations and road-kill disposal and more check it out or call our local office at the number below. Pennsylvania Game Commission
Southeast Region
253 Snyder Road
Reading, PA 19605
(P) (610) 926-3136