shiawasseecounty.net

Time to DUMP the DOG

Or so it seems. Actually, it is time to buy your 2008 dog license.

I put up an information sheet on my blog that lists the license fee for all the Michigan counties I could find on the internet. Most are within reason. A few just went crazy! One is up to $50 now. Nobody seems to care that that isn’t even legal.

Oh well.

At any rate, every year at license time there are a bunch of stray dogs show up out in the country (prime dumping ground). That happened even when licenses were only $5 and $10 in Shiawassee county. Now Licenses are $10 and $30. That didn’t cure the dumping problem.

Dog licensing began when rabies was a very serious problem.

Just like smallpox used to be a problem and we gave our children smallpox vaccinations. Once smallpox was gone, they quit giving our children smallpox vaccinations.

Now the CDC has declared the United States free of canine rabies. Now they need to quit giving rabies vaccinations to our dogs and the need for licensing dogs is also gone. (The license was just to insure the dogs were vaccinated.)

Makes perfect sense to me.

The cost is enough to explain the dumping of dogs around this time of year. It isn’t just that a license can cost you anywhere from $4 to $50 in the state of Michigan. First you have to go to a vet to get the vaccination (State law requires a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian). That can cost anywhere from $25 to $100 depending on how much the vet can wring out of you.

Little wonder people dump their dogs, as our economic situation deteriorates more, more dogs will be dumped.

Until enough people complain to their state legislators to change this law we are stuck with it. I know, I’m the only one that seems to give a rip.

There is still time to dump the dog.

LICENSES DUE BY THE END OF THE MONTH (for those who don't dump 'em)

In a few words.... for us dummies..... why is this illegal?

State of Michigan law provides that a county may set the license fee sufficient to cover the cost of enforcing Michigan's Dog Law of 1919.

The fee is excessive, far exceeds the cost of enforcing the Dog Law of 1919. That makes it an illegal fee.

More detail on my blog

Oh....sorry.... I thought that you meant that the license fee ... in general.... was illegal.....

So, it's okay with you if they charge way too much for it?

The financials are on my blog. Budget for several years and income from dog licenses.

You don't own a dog?

You don't have dogs dumped in your backyard at license time?

Licensing started at a time when rabies was a severe problem.

The problem is gone and/or reduced to such a minor hazard that it is hardly worth all the vaccinating and licensing.

Only 11 days left to either buy a license

or risk a fine and having to pay double for the license

I'm just a rebel... I guess... have had dogs for about 24 years and have never bought one... so no... not to be a smart alec... but I don't care what they charge...

You never bought a dog? or you never bought a dog license?

never bought Licenses... dogs are expensive enough...

do you vaccinate them for rabies?

do you vaccinate them for rabies?

Don't know why this double-posted.....I didn't do nothin'

The dogs that I have had are well taken care of and always current on all vaccinations. (that is part of the expense)
Heck.... the one I have now... I give better care than I give myself....
Of course.... she is a Golden Retriever.... and she sort of DEMANDS it... LOL

Did you read the thread "Joke of the day"?