Dog tax payments still outstanding

Molly, a crossbreed, is looking for a new home. See below for more details

Hundreds of parishioners face being "hounded" by the douzaine after missing the deadline to pay this year's dog tax, the office is warning.

Around a third have still to pay the £10 registration fee. Based on previous years, that suggests more than 250 animals are currently unlicenced and their owners are breaking the law.

The payment is due in January of each year in respect of all dogs, with the exemption of assistance dogs. Payments of £10 can be made in person during office hours by cash, cheque (made payable to Constables of the Vale) or card; by post, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope, or by phone using a debit or credit card (with a small charge to cover postage).

In the doghouse
Reminders will be sent to registered owners later this month so they do need to pay if they want to avoid finding themselves "in the doghouse".

Not only is payment a legal requirement (subject to certain exemptions) the money raised goes into the parish improvements fund and is used to benefit everyone who lives in the Vale. 

Every dog owner must have their animal licensed from six months old and failure to do so means the owner can be reported to Guernsey Police and fined.

No tax is payable on any dog under the age of six months or one that is kept and used solely by a blind or deaf person for his or her guidance.

• More details about Molly, being looked after by the GSPCA, can be found here​