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County officials have said efforts were focused on licensing dogs because the numbers here were so low.
Delaware County Communications Officer Trish Cofiell estimated the number of dogs in the county to be 102,000 whereas state Dog Law Advisory board member Tom Hickey Sr. said the number is closer to 200,000.
Cofiell said the county registered 11,596 dogs last year. The high was 20,000 in the late 1990s, when the last dog sweep was performed, according to county Treasurer Jack Dowd.
Although a dog sweep was intended for this month, state renewal letters are still being sent to dog owners, Mangano said. County officials did not know when the sweep would be and state officials were unable to be reached by deadline.
Hickey said funds generated from the sale of dog licenses across the state generated $5.5 million in grants for rescues and shelters in 2005. The license profits are also used to inspect kennels.
"If people just understand how much good that dog license money does," he said. "It helps dogs."
A look at the number of dogs received at the Delaware County SPCA shows the severity of the situation.
During the month of February, the SPCA took in 100 stray dogs, two of which had collars and identification tags, three of which had microchips, one had a 2004 license and one had a current license.
The numbers were similar during February of 2006, as the Upper Providence facility accepted 99 stray dogs, two of which had a current license, two had collars with identification tags, one had an old license and another had a microchip.
Even though the state sent renewal letters out to county residents last month and has warned of a dog sweep this month, the SPCA numbers hint to a persistent problem.
"I think the sad thing is it’s pretty much in line with what all the shelters see in the area and is part of the reason the state is looking to crack down," SPCA Kennel Operations Manager Nicole Wilson said.
Pennsylvania state law requires dog owners to have an up-to-date annual license for their pets, three months and older, as well as current rabies inoculation.
Failure to comply could result in a $300 fine.
Information on the licenses helps connect dogs to their owners in case they are separated from one another.
Yearly licenses cost $6 for neutered and spayed dogs and $8 for the others. Seniors get a $2 discount. Of the $6 fee, the county receives $1 and $5 is sent to the state.
Owners can also purchase lifetime licenses for $31 or $51, the latter for if the animal is not neutered or spayed. A dog must have a microchip to receive a lifetime license.
All dogs adopted from the Delaware County SPCA have a microchip. Licenses can also be purchased from the Sandy Bank Road facility, as well as the Delaware County Government Center and 20 other locations.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is accepting public comment with regards to the dog law until March 16. A public hearing is scheduled at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg on March 14.
As an at-large member of the Dog Law Advisory Board, Hickey is taking a look at the current mandates to see how they can better address puppy mill situations.
"Our goal is to look at these regulations," the Drexel Hill resident said. "We’re going after the breeder that abuses animals."
He said the board does not intend to add new statutes, but to revise existing statutes, such as cage size requirements, exercise minimums and lighting.
"It’s tough to say you’re taking care of your dogs when you can’t see them," Hickey said, referring to a recent Lancaster County case in which officials needed scaffolding to rescue 23 dogs. One of those puppies died the next day, he said.
Cage size must also be addressed, he said, referencing pictures he had seen of careless breeders. "These cages are so small the dogs can’t even turn around," Hickey said.
And, exercise must be offered for every pup.
"Every day, every dog has to exercise," Hickey said.
His concern, he said, is for man’s best friend. "These are dogs," he said. "It’s a dog issue."
