BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – You need a license for your dog in Belmont County, but what about your cat?
River News Network spoke with Jacob DeBertrand, Chief Deputy Auditor, for Belmont County about the licensing requirements for domesticated animals.
DeBertrand says Ohio law does not require cats to be licensed.
As for the licensing of cats, no statutes in the Ohio Revised Code require the licensure of cats.
Jacob DeBertrand, Chief Deputy Auditor for Belmont County, Ohio
But your dog does need a license and the Jan. 31 deadline to buy one is coming up fast.
Metal license tags have been making collars jingle on Ohio’s dogs for nearly 150 years, but DeBertrand says it’s unclear when Belmont County started collecting dog licenses.
Since 1877, Ohio dog owners have required dog licenses in all counties, cities, rural areas, suburbs, villages, developments, and apartments. Does that mean Belmont County has been selling Dog Licenses since 1877? I can’t say for sure.
Jacob DeBertrand, Chief Deputy Auditor for Belmont County, Ohio
All dogs over three months of age must be licensed each year between December 1 and January 31, DeBertrand says. If you bring your dog into Ohio after January 31, or if you obtain your dog after January 31, you are required to purchase the license within 30 days, according to Ohio Revised Code Section 955.01.
There is a penalty is you do not purchase the dog license by Jan. 31. The code also states that if the application for registration is not filed and the registration fee paid on or before the thirty-first day of January each year, the auditor shall assess a penalty in an amount equal to the registration fee upon the owner, keeper, or harborer, which shall be paid with registration fee.
The Belmont County Commissioners set all dog license pricing, which is as follows:
- One Year License – $14
- Three Year License – $42
- Permanent License – $140
- Kennel License – $70
- Replacement Tag for a Lost, Current License – $5
- Current License Transfer to a New Owner – $5
- Puppy License (Three months old after July 1st) – $7.
- After January 31st, a penalty equal to the dog license fee will be assessed in addition to the standard dog license fee. If you renew your dog’s license after the January 31 due date, the cost will be as follows: One Year Late License – $28, Three Year Late License – $58, Late Kennel License – $140.
DeBertrand says the collected fees support the Belmont County Animal Shelter and their duties.
Dog tags may only be issued by the County Auditor, but there are two locations in the county where they can be purchased in person: the County Auditor’s Office located in the Belmont County Courthouse, 101 W Main Street, St. Clairsville, and the Animal Shelter at 45244 National Road West, St. Clairsville.
You can also purchase a dog license online through the auditor’s website.
For more information about dog and kennel licenses, visit the Belmont County Auditor’s website here.
