Dog Licensing Requirements in Carroll County
The following information summarizes the dog licensing requirements as set forth in the Carroll County Code.Â
Who needs to license a dog
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All dog owners must license their dog once it reaches four months of age.
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Dogs under four months old do not need a license.
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Service animals, including seeing-eye dogs, hearing-ear dogs, service dogs, and government-owned dogs are exempt from license fees, but must still be licensed.
How to license your dog
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Submit a written application to the Animal Care and Control Authority by using the form below or complete in person at a licensing outlet.
License period
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Licenses are valid for the calendar year, from January 1 through December 31.
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Applications may be submitted up to 30 days before the new year begins.
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A dog must be licensed immediately when acquired or when it turns four months old.
License fees
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$5 for each spayed or neutered dog
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$25 for each unspayed or unneutered dog
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Discounted fees for owners age 62 and older: • $3 for spayed or neutered dogs
• $10 for unspayed or unneutered dogs -
A $10 late penalty applies if a license is not obtained by March 1, in addition to any other citations that may be issued.
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Replacement tags may be purchased for $1.
License tags
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Once licensed, owners will receive a durable identification tag with a unique number and year.
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Dogs must wear their license tag at all times, except: • When participating in an approved dog show or event
• When actively hunting and under the owner’s control
Important reminders
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License tags may only be used for the dog they were issued for.
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Allowing an unlicensed dog to be kept on a property may result in misdemeanor penalties.
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If requested by Animal Control, owners must provide proof of a current license within 15 days.
Records
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The Animal Care and Control Authority maintains records of all issued license numbers for three years, which are available to the public.