Muskingum County
Dog Licensing
Dog Licensing
Debra J. Nye, Auditor
Frequently Asked Questions
Dog Licensing FAQ
Knowingly providing FALSE information to a public official is a violation of Section 2921.13A5 of the Ohio Revised Code and is a misdemeanor of the first degree.
- Why do I need to license my dog?
- When should I license my dog?
- Is there a penalty if I do not register my dog?
- What if the licensed dog changes owners?
- How do I replace a lost license?
- What do I do if I find a lost dog?
- How do I report my dog as having been lost?
- How much does a dog license cost?
- What if I move?
- Where do the proceeds go from the dog license program?
- Where can I find the laws that apply to dog licensing?
- How do I know that purchasing a license online is safe?
- Do County officials have access to my credit card information?
- How will I know that my payment was made?
- How long does it typically take before I receive my dog license?
Why do I need to license my dog?
- Section 955.01 of the Ohio Revised Code states that every person who owns, keeps, or harbors a dog more than three months of age shall file, on or after the first day of the applicable January, in the office of the county auditor of the county in which the dog is kept or harbored, an application for registration for a period one year or three years or an application for a permanent registration. However there is one other exceptionally good reason for licensing your dog. If your animal is missing, the dog warden can identify your pet by the license being worn and notify you so you may quickly claim him.
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- Section 955.01 of the Ohio Revised Code states that every person who owns, keeps, or harbors a dog more than three months of age shall file, on or after the first day of the applicable January, in the office of the county auditor of the county in which the dog is kept or harbored, an application for registration for a period one year or three years or an application for a permanent registration. However there is one other exceptionally good reason for licensing your dog. If your animal is missing, the dog warden can identify your pet by the license being worn and notify you so you may quickly claim him.
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When should I license my dog?
- All dogs over three months of age must be licensed each year between December 1st and January 31. If you bring your dog into Ohio after January 31, or if you obtain your dog after January 31, you are required to purchase the license within 30 days. Ohio Revised Code Section 955.01.
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- All dogs over three months of age must be licensed each year between December 1st and January 31. If you bring your dog into Ohio after January 31, or if you obtain your dog after January 31, you are required to purchase the license within 30 days. Ohio Revised Code Section 955.01.
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Is there a penalty if I do not register my dog?
- Ohio Revised Code Section 955.01 states that if the application for registration is not filed and the registration fee paid, on or before the thirty-first day of January each year, the auditor shall assess a penalty in an amount equal to the registration fee upon the owner, keeper, or harborer, which shall be paid with registration fee.
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- Ohio Revised Code Section 955.01 states that if the application for registration is not filed and the registration fee paid, on or before the thirty-first day of January each year, the auditor shall assess a penalty in an amount equal to the registration fee upon the owner, keeper, or harborer, which shall be paid with registration fee.
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What if the licensed dog changes owners?
- The new owner is required to record the ownership change with the County Auditor for a fee of $5.00. Ohio Revised Code 955.11.
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- The new owner is required to record the ownership change with the County Auditor for a fee of $5.00. Ohio Revised Code 955.11.
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How do I replace a lost license?
- If the license would become lost or misplaced, you can request a duplicate tag at the Auditor's Office for $5.00.
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- If the license would become lost or misplaced, you can request a duplicate tag at the Auditor's Office for $5.00.
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What do I do if I find a lost dog?
- Please call your local Dog Shelter or Animal Control.
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- Please call your local Dog Shelter or Animal Control.
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How do I report my dog as having been lost?
- Please call your local Dog Shelter or Animal Control.
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- Please call your local Dog Shelter or Animal Control.
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How much does a dog license cost?
- The base fee for a dog license is set by your County Commissioners. A license may also be assessed a late penalty if it is purchased outside the standard registration period. Besides these fees, a convenience fee is added to a license bought online. The fee is listed on the website as the 'Online Fee'.
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- The base fee for a dog license is set by your County Commissioners. A license may also be assessed a late penalty if it is purchased outside the standard registration period. Besides these fees, a convenience fee is added to a license bought online. The fee is listed on the website as the 'Online Fee'.
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What if I move?
- If you move within your current County, you can call your County Auditor's office with your new address and telephone number so they can keep the information up-to-date. If you move to another county, call that County's Auditor for licensing information.
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- If you move within your current County, you can call your County Auditor's office with your new address and telephone number so they can keep the information up-to-date. If you move to another county, call that County's Auditor for licensing information.
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Where do the proceeds go from the dog license program?
- The license proceeds support the County Dog Shelter and the issuance of licenses. They are often the sole support for day-to-day operations at the County Dog Shelter.
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- The license proceeds support the County Dog Shelter and the issuance of licenses. They are often the sole support for day-to-day operations at the County Dog Shelter.
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Where can I find the laws that apply to dog licensing?
- The laws governing dog licensing in the State of Ohio can be found in the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), sections 955.01 thru 955.99.
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- The laws governing dog licensing in the State of Ohio can be found in the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), sections 955.01 thru 955.99.
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How do I know that purchasing a license online is safe?
- The system is PCI DSS compliant and uses industry-standard technology for the secure handling of user and credit card information. All passwords and credit card numbers are encrypted. Hard drives in production servers are encrypted. During a transaction any sensitive data is transported via SSL. Firewalls guard against intrusion. Any unnecessary server application is turned off. Periodic scans by a third-party are done to detect vulnerabilities and maintain PCI DSS compliance.
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- The system is PCI DSS compliant and uses industry-standard technology for the secure handling of user and credit card information. All passwords and credit card numbers are encrypted. Hard drives in production servers are encrypted. During a transaction any sensitive data is transported via SSL. Firewalls guard against intrusion. Any unnecessary server application is turned off. Periodic scans by a third-party are done to detect vulnerabilities and maintain PCI DSS compliance.
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Do County officials have access to my credit card information?
- No. Credit card information is not made available to County officials. If for any reason your credit card cannot be processed, you will be notified via email or telephone and directed with how to make corrections. Credit card orders for dog licenses will not be accepted over the telephone.
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- No. Credit card information is not made available to County officials. If for any reason your credit card cannot be processed, you will be notified via email or telephone and directed with how to make corrections. Credit card orders for dog licenses will not be accepted over the telephone.
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How will I know that my order was placed?
- After completing the check-out process, you will see a confirmation page with a transaction number. We recommend you print or save this page for your records.
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- After completing the check-out process, you will see a confirmation page with a transaction number. We recommend you print or save this page for your records.
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How long does it typically take before I receive my dog license?
- Licenses are sent through the postal mail and should arrive within 10 business days. Please contact the County if your license doesn't reach you within this period. Extra processing time may be necessary between December 1 to January 31 due to volume.
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- Licenses are sent through the postal mail and should arrive within 10 business days. Please contact the County if your license doesn't reach you within this period. Extra processing time may be necessary between December 1 to January 31 due to volume.
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