Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

East Bridgewater Officials Urge Residents to License Their Dogs to Avoid Court Summonses

Town Has 321 Outstanding Dog Licenses

EAST BRIDGEWATER — Town Clerk Susan Gillpatrick and Police Chief Scott Allen are urging East Bridgewater residents to license their dogs by Sept. 23 before additional late fees and hundreds of court summonses are issued.

In July, there were 1,200 outstanding dog licenses in East Bridgewater. Since July, the Town Clerk’s office has sent two notifications to all dog owners reminding them to license their dogs. As of Wednesday, there were still 321 outstanding licenses pending renewal.

East Bridgewater has a fee of $10 for all dogs that are spayed or neutered and a fee of $15 for all other dogs. Residents that have outstanding license fees should call the clerk’s office and/or go in person to determine your current amount owed.

For each resident who has not licensed their dog, a $25 per dog late fee was assessed on Sept. 1. On Sept. 23, a $50 per dog late fee will be assessed and dog owners will be issued summonses 30 days from that deadline to appear in court for failure to license their pets.

Under state law, all dogs older than six months need to be licensed in the community where they reside. Municipalities have the right to issue late fees and, if necessary, court summonses in order to collect owed fees.

“Being issued a court summons means that you need to show up to court and stand before a judge,” Chief Allen said. “If you fail to appear for your court date, then the court will issue a warrant for your arrest. Rather than tying up the court system and residents having to take a day off of work to appear in court, we are urging residents to contact the clerk’s office and pay the $10-$15 fee to license their dogs, along with the late fees that have already been assessed.”

Fees can be paid by mail or in person. Online payment is not available for late license fees. For more information about dog licensing in East Bridgewater visit the Town Clerk’s website or call 508-378-1606.

“We would prefer to not have to issue late fees or involve the police department to ensure that all dogs in town are licensed,” Town Clerk Gillpatrick said. “We are hoping to spread the word to let people know that they still have time before more serious measures are taken.”

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