Dog & Kennel License

Purchasing a Dog License

Regular dog licenses are available for sale at the Morgan County Auditor’s Office.

Dog License Pricing

* Three year and permanent licenses can only be purchased through the County Auditor’s Office December 1^st to January 31^st.
**Kennel Licenses are only available through the County Auditor’s Office. To be issued a kennel License you must be breeding the dogs to sell.

Late Fees

After January 31^st a penalty equal to the dog license fee will be assessed in addition to the standard dog license fee. If you renew your dog’s license after the January 31^st due date, the cost will be as follows:

Frequently Asked Questions

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 you 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 your dog.

Section 955.12 of the Ohio Revise Code allows the county to hold a licensed dog for up to 14 days, after mailing a notice of its capture to the owner, before allowing it to either be sold or destroyed. If a dog is unlicensed, the Law allows it to be either destroyed or sold after only 3 days.

When should I license my dog?
All dogs over three months of age must be licensed each year between December 1^st and January 31^st. If you bring your dog into Ohio after January 31^st, or if you obtain your dog after January 31^st, you are required to purchase the license within 30 days. Ohio Revised Code Section 955.01

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 the registration fee.

Where do I purchase a dog license?
Dog tags are issued by the County Auditor, however; there are a few other locations in the county during the December 1^st to January 31^st buying period where a regular dog license can be purchased. You may purchase the tag at the Morgan County Dog Pound at 43 Church Street, McConnelsville, Ohio or from Miller Tyme Backroads Country Store and Carryout located at 7991 E. St. Rt. 78 NE in Reinersville.

What information do I need to purchase a license?
To register your dog(s) you will need to supply Name, Address, and Telephone Number of the owner, as well as the Breed, Sex, Age, and Hair Color of each dog. Each dog receives a distinctive tag number (dog kennels receive five consecutively numbered tags.) once your dog has been assigned a license, the license number and the information about the dog is retained in the County Auditor’s office for 2 years.

What about Service Dogs?
Service Dogs must be licensed but their fee is waived. Once they are registered with the county, they are permanently licensed by receiving a special tag. Per Ohio Revised Code 95.011(B)(3) “Assistance dogs” means a guide dog, hearing dog, or service dog that has been trained by a nonprofit special agency. Owner must provide proof of the training such as certification from the nonprofit special agency.

What is the definition of “Kennel Owner”:
According to the Ohio Revised Code, Section 955.02, a kennel owner is “an establishment that keeps, houses, and maintains adult dogs as defined in Section 956.01 of the Revised Code, for the purpose of breeding the dogs for a fee or other consideration received through a sale, exchange or lease and that is not a high-volume breeder licensed under Chapter 956 of the Revised Code”. When a person breeds dogs as a hobby, “but permits sales to become such a factor that he advertises for sale” the breeding activity and dogs, that person “is professionally engaged in the business of dog breeding” and should be registered as a kennel.

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

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.

What do I do if I find a lost dog?
Please call the Morgan County Dog Pound at (740) 651-5061 or the Dog Warden at (740) 962-6424.  The Dog Pound is located at 43 Church Drive, McConnelsville, Oh 43756

How do I report my dog as having been lost?
Please call the Morgan County Dog Pound at (740) 651-5061 or the Dog Warden at (740) 962-6424..

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.

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 through 955.99

Nuisance, Vicious, and Dangerous Dogs

What is a Nuisance Dog?
Subject to 955.11 (a)(3)(a) of the Ohio Revised Code, “nuisance dog” means a dog that without provocation and while off the premises of its owner, keeper, or harborer, has chased or approached a person in either a menacing fashion or an apparent attitude of attack or has attempted to bite or otherwise endanger any person.

What is a Dangerous Dog?
Subject to 955.11 (A)(1)(b) of the Ohio Revised Code

• Caused injury, other than killing or serious injury, to any person.
• Killed another dog.
• Been the subject of a third or subsequent violation of division C of Section 955.22 of the Ohio Revised Code.
  
  What is a Vicious Dog?

  Subject 955.11 (A)(6)(B) of the Ohio Revised Code, vicious dog means a dog that, without provocation has killed or caused serious harm to any person.

  What is the Registration Fee for a Dangerous Dog?
  A fee of $50.00 per year and must include the following:

• Evidence of the dog’s current rabies vaccination.
• Evidence of the fact the dog has been spayed or neutered.
• Evidence that the dog has an active microchip and the microchip number.
• Printed picture of the dog you are registering.
• Evidence of the fact that you have posted clearly visible “Dangerous Dog” warning signs.
• Evidence of liability insurance – if ordered by the courts.
  
  

  For a Dangerous Dog you are required by Ohio Law to:

• Affix the tag to the dog’s collar and ensure the dog wears the collar at all times.
• Notify the Dog Warden immediately if the dog is loose, bites someone, or attacks another animal.
• Notify the Auditor within 10 days of the sale, transfer of ownership, change of address, or death of this dog.
• Renew this dangerous dog registration each calendar year no later than January 31^st.

Kennel Licenses

What is the definition of “Kennel Owner”?
According to the Ohio Revised Code, section 955.02, a kennel owner is “an establishment that keeps, houses, and maintains adult dogs as defined in Section 956.01 of the Revised Code, for the purpose of breeding the dogs for a fee or other consideration received through a sale, exchange or lease and that is not a high-volume breeder licensed under Chapter 956 of the Revised Code”. When a person breeds dogs as a hobby, “but permits sales to become such a factor that he advertises for sale” the breeding activity and dogs, that person “is professionally engaged in the business of dog breeding” and should be registered as a kennel.

Kennel License Pricing

Dog Tag Application

Online Dog Tag