The Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County reminds all dog owners that the State of Indiana County Option Dog Tax form included in the 2020 property tax bills applies to renters as well as property owners who are dog owners.
The word “option” does not mean that dog owners have an option to pay or not to pay the $5 tax per adult dog. It means that the county council exercised its option under Indiana Code 6-9-39 to require that all dogs be taxed and the tax collected by the county treasurer.
The tax may be paid in person at the treasurer’s office at the courthouse or at the Animal Welfare League office at 1104 Big Four Arch Road where tax forms are also available to those who did not receive one in the mail.
The tax collected is divided with 20% for canine research and education at Purdue University and 80% used by the county for the support of animal care facilities; animal control; reimbursement to farmers for livestock kills; and reimbursement to people treated for post exposure rabies.
All dog owners in the county are asked to pay the required dog taxes between now and Nov. 11 when the fall installment of real estate taxes are due.
