Dog licenses may be the new economic barometer.
Many Southern New Hampshire town clerks are reporting a marked decrease in the number of dog registrations, less than two weeks before the April 30 deadline.
Kingston Deputy Town Clerk Holly Ouellette said she thinks residents may be procrastinating because of tough economic times. But if they procrastinate too long on the $7.50 fee, they could end up facing a $25 fine instead.
"(Pet registration) has been really slow so far this year," Ouellette said. "We're going to be putting out some notices to remind people. Hopefully, we'll get more people coming in."
So far, Ouellette said, Kingston has seen just 250 dogs licensed. It saw a total of 958 last year.
Some town clerks said the low numbers reflect people's hesitance to pay fees, no matter how insignificant they may seem. The average cost of licensing an adult dog that has been spayed or neutered is $7.50. The cost to register an adult dog that hasn't been neutered is about $9.
Danville Town Clerk Doreen More said she has noticed a similar, sluggish pattern in dog registration.
"It's been very slow," she said. "We're only at about 314, and we had 898 last year — and I think it's definitely because money's tight."
Conversely, Derry Town Clerk Denise Neale said she's seen a significant increase in the number of people licensing their dogs. But she said she thinks that, too, is a reflection of the economy.
"We have a lot more dogs registered now at this time of year than we did last year, and I really think it's because people just can't afford the late fees this year," Neale said. "Last year, we sent out 700 civil forfeitures — $25 fines — and I guess it did the trick. People who were fined last year are coming in early this year and telling me they just didn't want to face the fine again."
Derry's numbers bear that out. Neale said 1,045 dogs have been licensed this year, up from 850 at the same time last year.
Derry resident Phyllis Pelcak, 56, said she was getting the fee over with early this year. She brought her 5-year-old German shepherd, Elke, with her to Town Hall last week. She went to register Elke and Oberon, a 2-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever.
"I always try to get it over with early, just so I don't forget," Pelcak said.
Hampstead Town Clerk Patricia Curran noted an increase in participation at the town's annual rabies clinic, another indicator that tough economic times can change people's habits.
"We had 80 more dogs at the clinic this year than we did last year," Curran said. "And I do think that is a reflection of the economy. People are utilizing the clinics, which costs only $10, instead of paying (more) at the vet."
A portion of each dog registration — $2.50 per tag — goes to the state for spay/neuter programs. The balance goes into the town's general fund. In towns where the town clerk is paid through fees, $1 from each registration goes to the clerk.
"I just hope people remember to get their dogs licensed. We don't want to have to fine anyone, especially not this year," said Neale, Derry's clerk.
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