Oyster Bay Town Clerk Steve Labriola alerts residents that new state laws have gone into effect regarding dog licensing laws as of January 15. Dog licenses now may not extend past the expiration date of a dog's rabies certificate.

All dogs being licensed or having licenses renewed may not have their expiration date extend beyond the expiration of the rabies immunization. In order to receive a full year license, a dog that is due for a rabies vaccination booster within the next license year would need to be immunized prior to license renewal.

Pursuant to the New York Public Health Law, county public health authorities must offer free clinics at least once every four months for the rabies vaccination of dogs, as well as for cats and domesticated ferrets.

If your dog is due for a rabies vaccination booster during the next year, you must have it boostered now in order to have a full year license. If you choose not to have your dog vaccinated now you will still need to pay the full annual fee and you will need to renew your dog license again after it has been vaccinated.

All responsible pet owners should license their dogs. Dog licenses are issued to dogs four months of age or older. Although the dog's ID tag is permanent, the license must be renewed every year as New York State does not require municipalities to keep expired licenses on file.

"Each year, hundreds of beloved canine pets are lost because they are not wearing ID tags and cannot be identified and reunited with their owners," Town Clerk Labriola said. "If your dog is not licensed, or if you have neglected to renew its license, please make it a point to license your pet today."

Dog licenses are available at the Town Clerk's Office at Oyster Bay Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay, and at the Town Clerk's Annex in Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Rd., Massapequa. Residents can also request a license through the mail by enclosing a selfaddressed stamped envelope with the completed application and required fee to the Town Clerk's Offices. The application is available on the Town of Oyster Bay's website, www.oysterbaytown.com.

The license fee is $2.50 for a dog that has been spayed or neutered and $10.50 for dog that has not. Proof of dog alteration, as well as a rabies vaccination certificate, can easily be required from your dog's veterinarian and are required when applying for a dog license.

To obtain an application for a new or renewal dog license, or for additional information, call the Town Clerk's Office at 624-6326 or visit the Town of Oyster Bay's website at www.oysterbaytown.com.