LICENSE PROCEDURES
Did You Know You Have to License Your Dog?
Article 7. of New York State Law relates to the licensing, identification and control of dogs and the Animal Population Control Program in New York State and is administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Dogs harbored in New York City, however, must be licensed by the New York City Department of Health. Local officials, generally animal control officers or dog control officers, are responsible for enforcing Article 7.
What Dogs Must be Licensed?
Every dog owned or harbored in New York State for longer than 30 days must be licensed. The following are the only license exemptions:
Apply for a dog license at the Town Clerk's Office, Bedford Town House, 321 Bedford Road, Bedford Hills, NY 10507. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
For guide dogs, war dogs, hearing dogs, police work dogs or service dogs, satisfactory proof is required, such as a training certificate, etc. for licenses.
In addition to the application, the owner will need:
If the dog is spayed or neutered, a certificate from a licensed veterinarian or an affidavit from the owner showing that the dog has been spayed or neutered unless the proof is already on file with the Clerk.
ALL dogs three months or older must have a proof of rabies vaccination signed by a licensed veterinarian or a certificate stating why the life of the dog would be endangered by the vaccine.
After the application and appropriate certificates are filed and the license fee has been paid, the license will be validated for one year. Each dog is assigned a permanent official identification (ID) number and issued a metal ID tag, which is to be attached to the dog's collar. NO REFUND WILL BE MADE AFTER A LICENSE HAS BEEN VALIDATED.
License Fees.
The annual statutory license fees are:
How to Change a License.
To ensure the accuracy of license records, it is essential that any change to the information on the license be provided to the local licensing agent who in turn will notify this Department so that records can be updated. The owner must provide in writing any of the following changes:
Every licensing town, city or village must have a Dog Control Officer (DCO) and municipal shelter services. The DCO and shelter service enforces both State and local dog laws and ordinances. Further, it is the DCO's responsibility to pick up lost and stray dogs and humanely care for them until they can be reunited with their owners.
If your dog is lost or you find a lost dog, immediately contact: RAY TEETSEL, Dog Control Officer for the Town of Bedford, located at the Bedford Police Department, 666-4855.
If a dog is lost but identified with a NYS identification tag, the DCO will contract the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and markets to trace the dog tag to the owner.
The local dog control officer must institute action for violations of both state and local laws. Fines or civil penalties shall be up to $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second and $100 for the third and subsequent offenses.
If a dog injures or kills livestock, the local assessor should be notified immediately. In the Town of Bedford that would be Mr. Tom Polzella, 666-5149. Do NOT destroy or bury the animals. They must be available for examination so that the assessor can appraise the damage.
If you have any questions regarding dogs in the Town of Bedford, please call Ray Teetsel, the Dog Control Officer at 666-4855 or the Town Clerk's Office at 666-4534.
(Reproduced from the Town of Bedford's brochure "Love Me? License Me!")
Did You Know You Have to License Your Dog?
Article 7. of New York State Law relates to the licensing, identification and control of dogs and the Animal Population Control Program in New York State and is administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Dogs harbored in New York City, however, must be licensed by the New York City Department of Health. Local officials, generally animal control officers or dog control officers, are responsible for enforcing Article 7.
What Dogs Must be Licensed?
Every dog owned or harbored in New York State for longer than 30 days must be licensed. The following are the only license exemptions:
- Dogs under four months of age not running at large
- Dogs harbored in New York City (these dogs must be licensed by the NYC Department of Health
- If a resident brings a dog into New York State for less than 30 days and the dog is licensed according to the resident state's licensing laws
- Dogs confined to the premises of any public or private hospital, research institution or a Class A Dealer with a certificate of exemption from the Commissioner
Apply for a dog license at the Town Clerk's Office, Bedford Town House, 321 Bedford Road, Bedford Hills, NY 10507. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
For guide dogs, war dogs, hearing dogs, police work dogs or service dogs, satisfactory proof is required, such as a training certificate, etc. for licenses.
In addition to the application, the owner will need:
If the dog is spayed or neutered, a certificate from a licensed veterinarian or an affidavit from the owner showing that the dog has been spayed or neutered unless the proof is already on file with the Clerk.
ALL dogs three months or older must have a proof of rabies vaccination signed by a licensed veterinarian or a certificate stating why the life of the dog would be endangered by the vaccine.
After the application and appropriate certificates are filed and the license fee has been paid, the license will be validated for one year. Each dog is assigned a permanent official identification (ID) number and issued a metal ID tag, which is to be attached to the dog's collar. NO REFUND WILL BE MADE AFTER A LICENSE HAS BEEN VALIDATED.
License Fees.
The annual statutory license fees are:
- For spayed or neutered dogs: $7.50
- For unspayed or unneutered dogs: $15.50
- For guide, war, hearing, police work or service dogs: NO FEE
How to Change a License.
To ensure the accuracy of license records, it is essential that any change to the information on the license be provided to the local licensing agent who in turn will notify this Department so that records can be updated. The owner must provide in writing any of the following changes:
- Dog ownership
- Dog owner's address
- Loss or theft of the dog (and if the dog is found, its return)
- Death of a dog
Every licensing town, city or village must have a Dog Control Officer (DCO) and municipal shelter services. The DCO and shelter service enforces both State and local dog laws and ordinances. Further, it is the DCO's responsibility to pick up lost and stray dogs and humanely care for them until they can be reunited with their owners.
If your dog is lost or you find a lost dog, immediately contact: RAY TEETSEL, Dog Control Officer for the Town of Bedford, located at the Bedford Police Department, 666-4855.
If a dog is lost but identified with a NYS identification tag, the DCO will contract the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and markets to trace the dog tag to the owner.
The local dog control officer must institute action for violations of both state and local laws. Fines or civil penalties shall be up to $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second and $100 for the third and subsequent offenses.
If a dog injures or kills livestock, the local assessor should be notified immediately. In the Town of Bedford that would be Mr. Tom Polzella, 666-5149. Do NOT destroy or bury the animals. They must be available for examination so that the assessor can appraise the damage.
If you have any questions regarding dogs in the Town of Bedford, please call Ray Teetsel, the Dog Control Officer at 666-4855 or the Town Clerk's Office at 666-4534.
(Reproduced from the Town of Bedford's brochure "Love Me? License Me!")