Trending
LISBON -- If a lost dog has a Columbiana County dog tag attached to the collar, the finder can search for the owner 24/7 through the county auditor's website.
"It's a great source for the citizen if you find a dog," county Auditor Nancy Gause Milliken said.
Simply looking up a number online can lead to a very happy reunion between a pet and its owner.
The service has been part of the auditor's office for a long time, but when contacted about it, Milliken agreed it might be a good time to remind residents.
As a dog lover, she said, "I wouldn't want my dog to be lost and not be found."
Dog tags include the words "Columbiana County" and include a year and a number, except in the case of a permanent tag which will have a "P" in front of the number and no year.
Visit the website at oh-columbiana-auditor.publicaccessnow.com and click on Dog Tags, then look under the links and click on Lost Dog. A form will come up where the number and year can be entered, giving the visitor the name of the owner, address, phone number and even the name of the dog and descriptive information such as the age, color, sex, and breed.
Chris Riffle, who handles dog tags at the auditor's office, said during office hours Monday through Friday, residents can call 330-424-9515, ext. 1006 with any questions. She's received text messages from people she knows who find a dog, then she looks up the tag for them.
"We encourage everyone to get a dog tag," Milliken said.
Dog tags are always on sale, but the normal time is from Dec. 1 to the end of January for dog owners to purchase a new license. A one-year tag is $12, with a three-year tag $36 and a permanent tag $120. All dogs more than three months of age must be licensed. If a dog owner gets a new dog anytime during the year, the dog tag should be purchased right then.
The auditor's office works with the county dog warden, who also has access to the dog tag information. Police departments can also have access, same as the public.