OTTAWA COUNTY (WHTC-AM/FM) — Ottawa County Treasurer’s Office shared the most-common dog names of 2018, based on licenses issued:
- Bella
- Charlie
- Lucy
- Bailey
- Max
- Sadie
- Molly
- Buddy
- Cooper
- Maggie
The top five dog breeds licensed in 2018 were:
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- German Shepherd
- Shih Tzu
- Chihuahua
Michigan law has required that dog licenses since 1919 — and a dog owner must have proof of the dog’s rabies vaccine to get that license.
If a dog is lost, the license will make the return of the pet simple. When a stray is picked-up by animal control (or a friendly neighbor), a dog wearing its license will be returned to its owner quickly for a tail-wagging, slobbery reunion. Unlicensed dogs risk being brought to the animal shelter. The owner may face fines, redemption fees, boarding costs and vet bills. Pets who remain unidentified could be put up for adoption.
Dogs must be licensed at four months of age. In Ottawa County, dog licenses can be purchased at any time but are issued to expire the month of the dogs’ rabies vaccination. New licenses are available for either one or three years and will expire in the month of the rabies vaccination. Owners can purchase licenses through participating veterinarians, some units of government or online at www.miottawa.org/DogLicense. Learn more at https://www.miOttawa.org or by calling (616) 994-4501.
