Dog owner or not, you’re picking up the tab for those who don’t license their animals

Central Okanagan residents are picking up the tab for dog owners who do not licence their animals.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan is responsible for dog control services. It estimates up to two-thirds of dogs are not licenced, which means there is less revenue going into dog control services.

The annual budget for dog control is a hefty $1 million.

However, Bruce Smith, a spokesperson for the Regional District, says revenues from licensing, ticketing and impound fees have so far been in the area of $300,000 to $350,000.

The huge discrepancy means all residents regardless of whether they have a dog or not are paying for dog control services.

“The ratepayers in each municipality and two electoral areas have been contributing to overall costs of dog control,” Smith said.

The $1 million annual expense for dog control is now the focus of a review to determine how to improve and possibly streamline the program to try to trim that cost. It could result in increases to licence fees. Currently dog licenses cost $20 a year.

The review will cost $40,000 and should be completed by late summer or early fall.