In May, with the assistance and cooperation of the state Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement in Harrisburg, a dog license application was mailed to Butler County residents.

At the time of the mailing, the county treasurer's office had issued nearly 23,000 dog licenses for 2005. Sales as of mid-October totaled more than 28,000, which is a new record for Butler County.

The key to this successful mailing was cooperation. I wish to thank the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement and the dedicated staff in the county treasurer's office for all their hard work.

I also wish to thank all the pet owners who responded to the mailing so positively. Their response to the mailing is what made it so successful.

Currently, we are in the midst of preparing the dog license renewal mailing for 2006. It will be in mailboxes sometime in late November or early December.

Like for the current year, it will be in the form of a blue postcard.

It is to be hoped county residents will take a moment to review their renewal notice and provide the treasurer's office with any new information, so pet owner records can be updated.

Licenses will be available for sale beginning on Dec. 5.

According to the Dog Law Act of 1988, all dogs 3 months of age or older are required to have a current license. The potential fine for failure to comply is up to $300.

People with questions regarding licensing or the location of the nearest licensing agent can check the county's Web page at www.co.butler.pa.us or call the treasurer's office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The number is 724-284-5149.