Sussex County awards dog control contract, keeps license fees the same for 2013

Georgetown, Del., Dec. 4, 2012: Sussex County will let sleeping dogs lie, as animal control services and the fees that help pay for them will remain the same for another year.

County Council, at its Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012, meeting, awarded the County’s contract for dog control services to the Kent County SPCA/Delaware Animal Care & Control. The organization, as it has since 2010, will continue to investigate complaints, retrieve unleashed dogs and inspect kennel operations on behalf of the County.

Kent County SPCA was the lowest of two bidders on the County’s one-year dog control contract, which the County put out for bid earlier this fall. Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary near Georgetown also submitted a proposal for the contract.

Under terms of the new contract, Sussex County will pay Kent County SPCA/Delaware Animal Care & Control $669,230 for its services in 2013. The County cited Kent County SPCA’s low bid and satisfactory performance in the past for awarding the newest contract, which begins Jan. 1, 2013.

Meantime, dog licenses for next year will be available beginning Jan. 1, and must be obtained for the calendar year by March 1 for dogs 6 months or older. For spayed and neutered dogs, the annual cost will remain $10; for non-spayed and unneutered dogs, the cost will stay at $15 yearly.

Dogs must be current on their rabies vaccinations at the time the license is obtained. Fees will be waived for seeing-eye, lead or guide dogs and those that have previously served in a branch of the U.S. military.

Licenses are available in one-, two- and three-year increments, and are valid through Dec. 31 of the expiration year. Owners who fail to comply with the County’s licensing requirements face an initial $50 fine, with a maximum fine of $100 for repeat offenses within a 12-month period.

Applications can be made online or in person. Visit sussexcountyde.gov and click on the “Buy Your Dog License Today” link on the lower right side of the main page, or stop by the County Administrative Offices building, 2 The Circle, in Georgetown, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For questions about dog control services and licensing requirements, call (302) 855-7380.

###