This is the first time since 2004 that the Comité des Connétables has changed the price of the licence.

According to the 1961 Dogs Law, all dogs over six months old must be licensed each year. The licence is valid for one year and expires on 31 January and it is an offence to not purchase a licence by that date.

Each licence is specific to a dog and cannot be transferred to another one. A licence is not required for a guide dog kept and used solely by a blind person or a deaf person. 

The current cost if of £5 but starting from 1 March the annual licence will cost £10. For owners renewing their licence in January, the cost will remain at £5.

Pictured: All dogs over six months need a licence.

"We have decided to increase the cost from 1 March 2020 in order to give dog owners plenty of time to purchase their licence for 2020 at the lower rate," 
Deidre Mezbourian, Chairman of the Comité des Connétables, said.

"The delay to March means that those who renew during January will still only pay £5 and those who delay until February will still be charged £10.

"The cost then increases to £10 from 1 March 2020 but for those who haven’t renewed, the Centenier can either accept a double payment of £20, or can invite the dog owner to attend a Parish Hall Enquiry and potentially impose a higher fine."

The Dogs Law also requires that every dog wear a collar, when on a highway or in a public place. The collar should contain the owner’s name, address and telephone number. This helps ensure that a lost or stray dog can be quickly reunited with its owner.

Parish officials said dog owners should be reminded that it is not sufficient to have only a microchip or an identity number.