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| By Debbie Gardner PRIME Editor WILBRAHAM If you have yet to purchase a license for your dog this year, you have until Aug. 31 to do so. After that, you can expect to explain your lapse to a judge. According to Town Clerk Beverly J. Litchfield, 127 residents recently received a letter signed by the Board of Selectmen, and copy of pending court action, regarding their failure to license a dog listed as residing at their address. Seventy-five recipients have yet to respond to the warning letter. Litchfield said that as of Sept. 4, the list of unpaid dog owners will be turned over to the Palmer District Court. Under Massachusetts State Law Chapter 140, Section 137, all dogs must be licensed each calender year. Litchfield said the list of delinquent pet owners is compiled from data on expired licenses and reports of new rabies vaccines filed by local veterinarians. Residents who no longer own a previously licensed dog are urged to contact the Town Clerk to amend the records. The Town of Wilbraham charges $10/year to license a spayed or neutered dog; $20/year for an unspayed/unneutered animal. There is a $10 late fee attached per dog for delinquent licenses purchased after July 1. "We try to do our best to remind people," Litchfield said. "There's a reminder on the census form in January, we send post cards in May and we post reminders in the local newspapers." This is the third year that Wilbraham has threatened delinquent dog owners with court action. Residents with questions about dog licensing should call the Town Clerk's office at 596-2809. |