Section 21.53. Transfer of lifetime dog licenses

(a) General.

(1) Change of address or ownership within the issuing county. The issuance of a new lifetime license and tag is not required when transferring a lifetime dog license to a new owner within the same county or when the owner changes his residence within the same county. If the change of address or transfer of possession or ownership of the dog is within the county where the lifetime license was issued and is permanent, the dog owner shall notify the county treasurer or agent of the change of address or ownership. The notice shall be given either prior to or within 10 days of the actual change of address or transfer of ownership of the dog. The county treasurer or agent shall record, in accordance with § 21.52 (relating to recordkeeping for lifetime dog licenses), the change of address or transfer of ownership or both. The issuing county treasurer or agent may charge and retain $1 for recording the change of address or transfer.

(2) Change of address or ownership outside the issuing county. If the change of residence or transfer of ownership or possession of the dog is permanent and outside the county in which the lifetime license was issued the transfer or change in residence shall be recorded by the dog owner with the issuing county treasurer or agent and by the county treasurer or agent in the county to which the dog is being moved or transferred. The notice shall be given by the dog owner either prior to or within 10 days of the actual change of address or transfer of ownership of the dog. The county treasurer or agent that issued the original lifetime license may charge and retain $1 for the transfer. The county treasurer or agent issuing the new lifetime license in the county to which the dog is moved shall, upon payment of a $1 fee by the dog owner, issue a new lifetime license number and tag for that county and record the lifetime license number and cross-reference it to the existing tattoo or microchip number in accordance with this section and § 21.52.

(3) Temporary change of address or possession. When the possession of a dog is temporarily transferred for the purpose of hunting game, or for breeding, boarding and training, trial or show in this Commonwealth, neither notice nor a new lifetime license, or the transfer of a lifetime license already secured, is required.

(b) Transfer process and information required.

(1) Transfer of ownership within the issuing county. Whenever the ownership of a dog is permanently transferred from one person to another within the same county, the lifetime license of the dog shall be transferred. The dog owner shall apply to the issuing county treasurer or agent. The application shall be accompanied by a bill of sale or affidavit from the dog owner stating that ownership of the dog is to be transferred. The bill of sale or affidavit shall set forth the breed, sex, age, color and markings of the dog being transferred, the lifetime license number and microchip or tattoo number of the dog, year of issuance of the lifetime license, and the name, address and telephone number of the person transferring ownership of the dog and the person to which ownership of the dog is being transferred.

(2) Transfer of ownership outside the issuing county. Whenever the ownership of a dog is permanently transferred from one person to another outside the issuing county, the lifetime license number of the dog shall be voided in the issuing county and a new lifetime license number and tag issued by the county treasurer or agent in the county to which the dog is moved. The dog owner shall apply to the issuing county treasurer or agent. The application shall be accompanied by a bill of sale or affidavit from the dog owner stating that ownership of the dog is to be transferred. The bill of sale or affidavit shall set forth the breed, sex, age, color and markings of the dog being transferred, the lifetime license number and microchip or tattoo number of the dog, the year of issuance of the lifetime license, and the name, address and telephone number of the person transferring ownership of the dog and the person to which ownership of the dog is being transferred. Upon receiving the application the issuing county treasurer or agent shall certify the lifetime license to the county treasurer or agent in the county to which the dog is being moved and shall void the lifetime license number originally issued. The original lifetime license number may not be reissued to future applicants. The county treasurer or agent in the county to which the dog is being moved, upon receiving certification from the county treasurer or agent of the issuing county and payment of a fee of $1 from the owner of the dog, shall issue a new lifetime license number and tag, for that county. The new lifetime license number and tag shall be issued in the manner set forth in § 21.51(g) (relating to lifetime dog license issuance) except that if the dog has been permanently identified by means of a tattoo, the existing tattoo number of the dog shall be cross referenced to the new lifetime license number issued.

(3) Change of residence within the same county. Whenever, the owner of a dog with a lifetime license changes residence within the county which issued the lifetime license, the dog owner shall apply to the issuing county treasurer or agent. The application shall be accompanied by an affidavit from the dog owner stating the dog will be moved to a new residence and setting forth the address of the new residence. The affidavit shall identify the breed, sex, age, color and markings of the dog and the lifetime license number and microchip or tattoo number.

(4) Change of residence to another county. Whenever a dog licensed in one county is permanently moved to another county, the dog owner shall apply to the county treasurer or agent where the dog license was issued. The application shall set forth the name and address of the dog owner and the address of the residence to which the dog will be moved. Upon receiving the application the issuing county treasurer or agent shall certify the lifetime license to the county treasurer or agent in the county to which the dog is being moved and shall void the lifetime license number originally issued. The original lifetime license number may not be reissued to future applicants. The county treasurer or agent in the county to which the dog is being moved, upon receiving certification from the county treasurer or agent of the issuing county and payment of a $1 fee from the owner of the dog, shall issue a new lifetime license number and tag, for that county. The new lifetime license number and tag shall be issued in the manner set forth in § 21.51(g) except that if the dog has been permanently identified by means of a tattoo, the existing tattoo number of the dog shall be cross referenced to the new lifetime license number issued.

(c) Recordkeeping and reporting. The issuing county treasurer or agent shall record the transfer of ownership or change in residence and where applicable the voiding of the lifetime license number. The county treasurer or agent in the county to which a dog is being transferred shall, upon receipt of the proper certification of transfer from the county treasurer or agent of the issuing county and payment of a $1 fee from the owner of the dog, issue a new lifetime license number and tag, for that county and record the new lifetime license number issued and the cross-referenced tattoo or microchip number of the dog, in the manner set forth in this section and § 21.52. The county treasurer or agent in both counties shall mail or electronically transmit a record of the transfer or change in residence, and if applicable, the new lifetime license number issued and cross-referenced tattoo or microchip number of the dog to the Department. Both county treasurers and agents shall keep a record of the transfer or change in residence for 20 years.

The provisions of this § 21.53 amended March 14, 2003, effective March 15, 2003, 33 Pa.B. 1329. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (276689).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 21.53 amended under section 201 of the Dog Law (3 P. S. § 459-201); and Articles II—IX-A of the Dog Law (3 P. S. § § 459-201—459-219, 459-301—459-305, 459-401, 459-402, 459-501, 459-502, 459-501-A—459-507-A, 459-601—459-603, 459-701—459-706, 459-901—459-907 and 459-901-A—459-911-A).