Butler County Treasurer Diane Marburger said Thursday that she recently attended a meeting with other county treasurers and found that her counterparts are dealing with a flurry of dog owners coming to the treasurer's office to buy a licenses for their pets.

The upswing in dog license sales, Marburger said, is due to recent news articles alerting residents that state workers are canvassing communities to ensure dogs are properly licensed.

Although she has not seen a surge in dog license sales at her office in the county government center, one may be coming.

“They are canvassing Butler County now,” Marburger said.

The state workers, Marburger said, are permitted to access private property and knock on doors to see if residents have their dogs licensed.

“Even if there is no evidence outside that there is a dog,” she said.

Marburger said while new dog licenses are to be purchased by Jan. 1 and last until Dec. 31, dog owners will not be penalized for buying their dog licenses late.

However, dog owners found by the state canvassers to be without licenses for any dog aged 3 months or older could be fined $300.

“Come in and get your dog licensed,” Marburger advises.

Annual dog licenses cost between $4.50 and $8.50, depending on the owner's age and whether the dog is spayed or neutered, she said.

Licenses are available at Marburger's office on the first floor of the county government center on West Diamond Street, and at many farm stores and libraries.