Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Fred Strathmeyer was at Willow Spring Kennels in Quakertown to discuss raising dog license fees.
Dog wardens of the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement inspect commercial kennels at least twice a year. Since its inception in 1893, the bureau has been funded mostly with the sale of dog licenses. While the nominal license fee has not been increased in 25 years, the duties of dog wardens have been greatly broadened. Now, the bureau is understaffed and barely able to keep up with the minimum required inspections.
Terry Smith, of Willow Spring Kennels, hosted the event. He is the commercial kennel representative on the Dog Law Advisory Board. Willow Spring Kennels breeds Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, a breed Smith describes as having a calm demeanor and offering unlimited affection.
State Rep. Frank Farry explained why he supports legislation increasing the dog license fee.
“I’m glad to have the opportunity to share my support for House Bill 526,” Farry said. “This important legislation would simplify the commonwealth’s dog licensing structure and help ensure adequate funding for the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement to carry out their mission of keeping Pennsylvanians and their pets safe.
“Without a fully funded bureau, we risk dogs across the commonwealth being bred in dangerous and neglectful settings with no watchful eye to come to their rescue. Sadly, PA continues to struggle with a prevalence of puppy mills and now is the time to increase our support for the bureau’s efforts, not to leave them without the resources to do their job.”
About 87% of the BDLE’s funding comes from dog license fees. The legislation would simplify the way dogs are licensed, by coupling the process with points of sale or transfer.
Farry is co-chairman of the House Animal Protection Caucus.
In addition to kennel inspections, the bureau manages the Dangerous Dog Registry and seeks justice for dog bite victims; reimburses farmers for livestock harmed by dogs or coyotes; picks up stray dogs; and uses the dog licenses to reunite lost dogs with owners.
With the funding shortage, taxpayer dollars are being redirected to the bureau to keep the minimum mandated services up and running. Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed budget includes a supplemental transfer of $1.2 million for 2020-21 in addition to a transfer for 2021-22 of $1.5 million. These funds are coming from all taxpayers, rather than a small fee that is a built-in responsibility of dog ownership.
The bills propose an increased license fee for most dog owners from $6.50 to $10 annually. They also require puppies to be licensed at eight weeks — the age they are legally allowed to be sold or adopted — a shift from the current standard of 12 weeks. This is expected to increase license sales by raising dog-owner awareness of their responsibility to buy a license.
For more information on dog licenses and Pennsylvania’s dog law, visit licenseyourdogpa.pa.gov.
