Georgetown, Del., Dec. 14, 2010: Sussex County is throwing dog owners a bone this holiday season, keeping animal control services and licensing fees the same for 2011.

County Council, at its Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010, meeting, renewed the County’s annual contract for dog control services with Kent County SPCA/Delaware Animal Care & Control. The organization, as it did this year, will continue to investigate complaints, retrieve unleashed dogs and inspect kennel operations on behalf of the County.

Under terms of the contract renewal, Sussex County will pay Kent County SPCA/Delaware Animal Care & Control $669,231 – slightly less than this year’s total -- for its services in 2011.

Meantime, dog licenses for next year will be available beginning Jan. 1, and must be obtained for the calendar year by March 1 for dogs 6 months or older. For spayed and neutered dogs, the annual cost will remain $10; for non-spayed and unneutered dogs, the cost will stay at $15 yearly. Dogs must be current on their rabies vaccinations at the time the license is obtained. Fees will be waived for seeing-eye, lead or guide dogs and those that have previously served in a branch of the U.S. military.

Licenses are available in one-, two- and three-year increments, and are valid through Dec. 31 of the expiration year. Owners who fail to comply with the County’s licensing requirements face an initial $50 fine, with a maximum fine of $100 for repeat offenses within a 12-month period.

Applications can be made online or in person. Visit sussexcountyde.gov and click on the “Buy Your Dog License Today” link on the lower right side of the main page, or stop by the County Administrative Offices building, 2 The Circle, in Georgetown, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For questions about dog control services and licensing requirements, call (302) 855-7380.

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