Town clerk warns dog owners: license pets or face $50 late fee Sept. 1

The North Brookfield town clerk told the Select Board Aug. 12 that 629 dog owners have licensed their pets, that town records estimate 981 dogs reside in town, and that 44 owners have not responded or licensed their dogs since 2023. The town clerk reminded residents that Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 140, section 137, requires dogs to be licensed in the town where they reside and noted the current licensing system is maintained in an Excel spreadsheet, which can produce errors. The clerk said the late fee for unlicensed dogs will be $50 per household beginning Sept. 1 and asked residents to contact the clerk's office to correct records if necessary. The clerk emphasized the licensing requirement is statutory "not a revenue effort by the town" and encouraged owners who no longer have a dog in town to notify the clerk so records can be updated. The clerk said if residents believe an error exists in their record the office will correct it promptly. Why it matters: dog licensing is a legal requirement in Massachusetts; failure to license may expose owners to late fees and complicates municipal animal-control records. Details and next steps: residents were advised to contact the town clerk's office to license dogs or correct records; the clerk will assess the $50 late fee per household for overdue licenses beginning Sept. 1.