Dog Control

Dog Control Officer

Randy Akins

4539 Starr Road

Campbell, NY 14821

Phone: (607) 776-5177

Dog Licenses may be purchased from the Town Clerk during regular business hours. Proof of spay/neuter is required as well as current rabies certificate. One, two, or three year licenses are available. Cost is $5.00 for spay/neutered dog; $13.00 for an unspayed or unneutered dog.

Dog Licensing Program

What Dogs Must Be Licensed?

Every dog, regardless of age, owned or harbored in New York State for longer than 30 days must be licensed. The following are the only license exemptions:

if the dog is under four months of age and not running-at-large (off the owner’s premises)
dogs harbored in New York City (these dogs must be licensed by the NYC Department of Health)
if a non-resident brings a dog into New York State for less than 30 days and the dog is licensed according to the resident state’s licensing laws
dogs confined to the premises of any public or private hospital, research institution or a Class A Dealer with a certificate of exemption from the Commissioner.

How to License Your Dog

Apply for a dog license with the Town Clerk. Click here for the link to the form.
For guide dogs, war dogs, hearing dogs, police work dogs, service dogs, therapy dogs, or detection dogs as of January 1, 2003, satisfactory proof is required, such as a training certificate, etc. for licenses.
In addition to the application the owner will need:
1. if the dog is spayed or neutered - a certificate from a licensed veterinarian or an affidavit from the owner showing that the dog has been spayed or neutered, unless this proof is already on file with the clerk;
2. ALL dogs three months or older must have proof of a rabies vaccination signed by a licensed veterinarian or a certificate stating why the life of the dog would be endangered by the vaccine; and
3. a check payable to the Town of Thurston for the appropriate license fee.

After the application and appropriate certificates are filed and the license fee has been paid, the license will be validated for by the Town Clerk. Each dog is assigned a permanent official identification (ID) number and issued a metal ID tag which is to be attached to the dog’s collar. NO REFUND WILL BE MADE AFTER A LICENSE HAS BEEN VALIDATED.

Special Notice: The Town of Thurston will be holding a free rabies clinic on September 25 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at the Town Hall in Thurston located at 7475 County Rte 333. Please bring proof of previous rabies vaccinations with you. All dogs must be on a leash and cats and domesticated ferrets must be confined to a cage.

For information on free rabies clinics in Steuben County click here.

How to Change a License

To ensure the accuracy of license records, it is essential that any change to the information on the license be provided to the Town Clerk who in turn will notify the State so that records can be updated. The owner must provide in writing any of the following changes:

dog ownership
dog owner’s address
loss or theft of the dog (and if the dog is found, its return) and
death of a dog

Dog Control Services

The Town of Thurston's Dog Control Officer is responsible to pick up lost and stray dogs and humanely care for them until they can be reunited with their owners.

If your dog is lost or you find a lost dog, immediately contact the Dog Control Officer at the following telephone number: (607) 776-5177.

If a dog is lost but identified with a NYS identification tag, the Dog Control Officer will contact the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets to trace the dog tag to the owner.

The local dog control officer must institute action for violations of both state and local laws. Fines or civil penalties shall be up to $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second and $100 for the third and subsequent offenses.

If dogs injure or kill livestock, the local assessor should be notified immediately. Do NOT destroy or bury the animals. They must be available for examination so the assessor can appraise the damage.

Article 7 relates to the licensing, identification and control of dogs and the animal population control program in New York State and is administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Dogs harbored in New York City, however, must be licensed by the New York City Department of Health. Local officials, generally animal control officers or dog control officers, are responsible for enforcing Article 7.