Douglas County to crack down on unlicensed dogs

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. -- The Douglas County Sheriff's office says that they are cracking down on dog owners who fail to get their dogs licensed.

For the past several years, Douglas County Animal Control has attempted to educate the public on dog licensing laws by primarily issuing warning citations for dog licensing violations.

The Sheriff's department took a recommendation from the Dog Control Advisory Board, that citations be issued because of a lack of compliance.

The Sheriff's office says that starting now, the owner of any unlicensed dog over the age of six months will be subject to citation.

Authorities say that previously, officers would issue warnings in an attempt to gain compliance with Oregon's dog licensing law. They say that dog owners were not following up and getting the licenses, and the Sheriff's office no longer has the Animal Control resources to verify compliance.

The bail on a citation for an unlicensed dog is $362 for a dog that has been fixed, and $504 for an unaltered dog.

Dog licenses cost $6 per year for spayed or neutered dogs, and $25 per year for unaltered dogs.

Dog licenses can be purchased at several locations in Douglas County including the Sheriff's Office in Roseburg.

For a complete list of where to obtain a license, you can check here.