A reminder from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture:

Dog owners across Pennsylvania are reminded to apply for mandatory 2010 dog licenses before the Jan. 1 deadline, Deputy Secretary for Dog Law Enforcement Jessie Smith said.

"Obtaining a license is a quick, easy way to help ensure the safety of man's best friend," said Smith. "Not only can a license be a passport home for lost dogs, license fees collected help us to ensure humane conditions are provided for dogs in kennels."

State law requires that all dogs three months or older be licensed by Jan. 1 each year. An annual license is $8 and a lifetime license is $51. If the animal is spayed or neutered, the annual fee is $6 while a lifetime license is $31. Discounts are available to older adults and people with disabilities.

All dogs must be licensed. Failure to license a dog is a summary offense and could result in a maximum fine of $300 for each unlicensed dog.

Fees collected through dog licensing are used by the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement to protect the health, safety and welfare of dogs. More than 930,000 licenses were obtained in 2009.

License applications are available at county treasurer's offices. A list of county treasurers and a downloadable license application is available online at www.agriculture.state.pa.us under "Forms."