§ 21.51. Lifetime dog license issuance.

 (a)  Eligibility. The owner of a dog 3 months of age or older may apply to the county treasurer or agent, on a form prescribed by the Department for a lifetime license.

 (b)  Lifetime license requirement. A lifetime license shall consist of the following:

   (1)  A lifetime license number issued by the county treasurer or agent and a tag bearing that lifetime license number.

   (2)  A tattoo or microchip permanently identifying the dog.

 (c)  Permanent identification requirement. A person applying for a lifetime license shall choose either a tattoo or the implantation of a microchip as the means of permanent identification for the dog. The person applying for a lifetime license is responsible for having the dog tattooed or a microchip implanted to permanently identify the dog. Application of a tattoo or implantation of a microchip must be done in a manner consistent with the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act and 49 Pa. Code Chapter 31 (relating to State Board of Veterinary Medicince).

 (d)  Tattoo as permanent identification. If the applicant chooses to have the dog tattooed as a means of permanent identification, the following rules and procedures apply:

   (1)  Prior to having the dog tattooed, the dog owner shall obtain and complete a lifetime license application from the county treasurer or agent of his respective county. The dog owner shall obtain and complete the lifetime license application in person or by mail and shall return the completed lifetime license application to the county treasurer or agent. The dog owner shall include the appropriate fees, set forth on the lifetime license application and in sections 200(b) and 201(b) of the act (3 P. S. § §  459-200(b) and 459-201(b)), with the completed lifetime license application.

   (2)  Upon receipt of a completed lifetime license application the county treasurer or agent shall follow the procedures in subsection (g). If the lifetime license application is determined to be complete, the county treasurer or agent shall issue a lifetime license number as set forth in subsection (g) and issue a verification of permanent identification form, prescribed by the Department.

   (3)  Upon receiving the lifetime license number and verification of permanent identification form issued by the county treasurer or agent, the dog owner shall have the dog tattooed in accordance with this chapter.

   (4)  The tattoo number applied to the dog must be the same number as the lifetime license number issued by the county treasurer or agent.

   (5)  The tattoo must be applied on the right hind leg on the inner part of the upper thigh of the dog. The dog owner may have the letters ‘‘PA’’ tattooed on the dog immediately preceding the tattoo number.

   (6)  The dog owner and the person applying the tattoo shall complete, date and sign the verification of permanent identification form for the dog receiving the tattoo and return it to the county treasurer or agent that issued the lifetime license number and tag. The verification of permanent identification form must set forth the exact number tattooed on the dog, identify the dog by breed and delineate the dog’s age, sex, color and markings and whether the dog has been spayed or neutered. In addition, it must contain the name, address and phone number of the dog’s owner and the name, address and phone number of the person applying the tattoo.

   (7)  The dog owner shall have 30 days from receipt of a lifetime license number and verification of permanent identification form to have the dog tattooed and return the verification of permanent identification form to the county treasurer or agent that issued the lifetime license number.

   (8)  Upon receiving the completed verification of permanent identification form, the county treasurer or agent shall issue the lifetime license and tag to the dog owner.

   (9)  A dog owner who fails to have the dog tattooed and return the completed verification of permanent identification form to the issuing county treasurer or agent within 30 days after receiving a lifetime license number and verification of permanent identification form shall be in violation of the licensure provisions of the act and this chapter and subject to the penalties prescribed therein. In addition, the lifetime license number and tag shall be void. The issuing county treasurer or agent shall return the lifetime license fee to the dog owner and record and report the noncompliance to the Department as set forth in §  21.52 (relating to recordkeeping for lifetime dog licenses). The issuing county treasurer and, if applicable, the agent shall retain the applicable issuance fees, set forth in section 200(b) of the act.

 (e)  Microchip as permanent identification. If the applicant chooses to have a microchip implanted in the dog as a means of permanent identification, the following rules and procedures apply:

   (1)  The dog owner shall have a microchip implanted in the dog in a manner consistent with the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act and 49 Pa. Code Chapter 31. The microchip implanted shall be of a type consistent with the definition of ‘‘microchip’’ in §  21.1 (relating to definitions) and shall be implanted in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.

   (2)  The dog owner shall obtain and complete both a lifetime license application and a verification of permanent identification form prescribed by the Department.

   (3)  The dog owner shall obtain a lifetime license application from the county treasurer or agent of his respective county. The dog owner may obtain the lifetime license application in person or by mail.

   (4)  The lifetime license application may be obtained and completed either prior to or after implantation of a microchip in the dog. The application and a verification of permanent identification form must be completed and signed prior to the issuance of a lifetime license and tag. The final packet submitted by the dog owner to the county treasurer or agent must contain the properly completed lifetime license application and verification of permanent identification form and the appropriate fees, set forth on the lifetime license application and in sections 200(b) and 201(b) of the act.

   (5)  If the dog owner obtains a lifetime license application prior to having a microchip implanted in the dog, the dog owner may request and the county treasurer or agent shall issue a verification of permanent identification form along with the lifetime license application. If the dog owner has not yet applied for a lifetime license prior to implantation of the microchip, the licensed veterinarian implanting the microchip shall supply the verification of permanent identification form. A licensed veterinarian shall obtain the verification form from the Department. When the dog owner, consistent with the provisions of the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act and 49 Pa. Code Chapter 31, personally implants the microchip in his own dog the dog owner may obtain the verification of permanent identification form from the county treasurer or agent and shall fill out the required information.

   (6)  The dog owner and when the dog owner does not implant the microchip himself but, instead has a licensed veterinarian or person authorized to implant a microchip consistent with the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act and 49 Pa. Code Chapter 31 implant the microchip, the licensed veterinarian shall complete, date and sign the verification of permanent identification form for the dog in which the microchip is implanted. The completed verification of permanent identification form must set forth the identifying number of the microchip implanted, identify the dog by breed and delineate the dog’s age, sex, color and markings and whether the dog has been spayed or neutered. In addition, it shall contain the name, address and phone number of the dog’s owner and when a licensed veterinarian or person authorized to implant a microchip consistent with the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act and 49 Pa. Code Chapter 31 has implanted the microchip, the name, business address and phone number of the licensed veterinarian. If a licensed veterinarian or person authorized to implant a microchip consistent with the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act and 49 Pa. Code Chapter 31 implants the microchip, the licensed veterinarian shall set forth his veterinary practice license number on the verification of permanent identification form.

   (7)  The dog owner shall complete the lifetime license application and take or mail the completed lifetime license application and verification of permanent identification form to the county treasurer or agent of his respective county.

   (8)  Upon receiving a properly completed lifetime license application and verification of permanent identification form, as well as the appropriate fees, as set forth on the lifetime license application and in sections 200(b) and 201(b) of the act, the county treasurer or agent shall issue a lifetime license number and tag as set forth in subsection (g).

   (9)  A dog owner who fails to have the dog microchipped and return the completed verification of permanent identification form to the issuing county treasurer or agent within 30 days after receiving a lifetime license number and verification of permanent identification form shall be in violation of the licensure provisions of the act and this chapter and subject to the penalties prescribed therein. In addition, the lifetime license number and tag shall be void. The issuing county treasurer or agent shall return the lifetime license fee to the dog owner and record and report the noncompliance to the Department as set forth in §  21.52. The issuing county treasurer and, if applicable, the agent shall retain the applicable issuance fees, set forth in section 200(b) of the act.

 (f)  Dog previously microchipped. If a person has already had a microchip implanted in his dog and seeks to obtain a lifetime license for the dog, the applicant is not required to have a new microchip implanted in the dog as a means of permanent identification. Instead the applicant shall:

   (1)  Obtain and complete both a lifetime license application and a verification of permanent identification form prescribed by the Department. The lifetime license application may be obtained and completed either prior or subsequent to having the dog scanned for a microchip as set forth in this subsection. The verification of permanent identification form must be filled out at the same time the dog is scanned.

   (2)  Have a licensed veterinarian or kennel owner scan the dog to assure the microchip has been properly implanted and to obtain the identifying number of the microchip.

   (3)  The dog owner and the licensed veterinarian or kennel owner shall complete, date and sign the verification of permanent identification form for the dog in which the microchip was scanned. The verification of permanent identification form must set forth the identifying number of the microchip scanned, identify the dog by breed and delineate the dog’s age, sex, color and markings and whether the dog has been spayed or neutered. In addition, it must contain the name, address and phone number of the dog’s owner and the name, business address and phone number of the person scanning the microchip number. If a veterinarian is involved, the veterinarian shall set forth his veterinary practice license number on the verification of permanent identification form.

   (4)  The dog owner or licensed veterinarian may obtain a verification of permanent identification form.

     (i)   The dog owner may obtain a verification of permanent identification form, along with a lifetime license application, from the county treasurer or agent in his respective county of residence prior to scanning of the dog for an existing microchip. If the dog owner takes his dog to a licensed veterinarian for implantation of the microchip and has not yet applied for a lifetime license, the licensed veterinarian shall supply the verification of permanent identification form.

     (ii)   A licensed veterinarian shall obtain verification of permanent identification forms from the Department.

   (5)  The dog owner shall deliver to the county treasurer or agent, in person or by mail, the properly completed lifetime license application and verification of permanent identification form and the appropriate fees, as set forth on the lifetime license application and in sections 200(b) and 201(b) of the act.

   (6)  Upon receiving a properly completed lifetime license application and verification of permanent identification form, as well as the appropriate fees, as set forth on the lifetime license application and in sections 200(b) and 201(b) of the act, the county treasurer or agent shall issue a lifetime license number and tag as set forth in subsection (g).

 (g)  County treasurer or agent procedure for issuance of lifetime license.

   (1)  General.

     (i)   One lifetime license per lifetime license application. A lifetime license application must be completed for each dog for which a lifetime license is requested. The county treasurer or agent shall issue only one lifetime license and tag for each properly completed lifetime license application. The county treasurer or agent shall collect the applicable fees, as set forth on the lifetime license application and in sections 200(b) and 201(b) of the act, for the lifetime license before issuing the lifetime license and tag.

     (ii)   Assignation of lifetime license number. The lifetime license must list a number. The county treasurer or agent shall assign a lifetime license number for each dog for which a properly completed lifetime license application has been submitted and approved. The county treasurer or agent shall issue the lifetime license number on the lifetime license certificate and tag. The number shall be at least six digits with the first two digits designating the county. For example, Adams County number must begin with 01; York County, with 67. The county number must be followed by at least four digits assigned by the county treasurer or his agent. For example, the lifetime license number assigned by York County for the first dog licensed would be 670001.

   (2)  Tattoo procedure. If the dog owner intends to tattoo the dog as the means of permanent identification the dog owner shall complete a lifetime license application and pay the applicable fees, as set forth on the lifetime license application and in sections 200(b) and 201(b) of the act, prior to the county treasurer or agent issuing a lifetime license and tag. The county treasurer or agent, upon receipt of a properly completed lifetime license application and the applicable fees, shall complete the lifetime license from information on the lifetime license application. The county treasurer or agent shall assign a lifetime license number as set forth in paragraph (1)(ii) and issue a verification of permanent identification form, prescribed by the Department, to the dog owner. The dog owner shall have 30 days from receipt of a lifetime license number and verification of permanent identification form to have the dog tattooed and return a completed verification of permanent identification form to the issuing county treasurer or agent. If the dog owner fails to return the verification of permanent identification form within the 30-day time period, the issuing county treasurer or agent shall void the lifetime license, refund the lifetime license fee, record and designate the lifetime license number as void and report the noncompliance to the Department as set forth in §  21.52. The issuing county treasurer and, if applicable, the agent shall retain the applicable issuance fees, set forth in section 200(b) of the act. The lifetime license number may not be reissued to future applicants other than the original applicant.

   (3)  Microchip procedure. If the dog owner intends to use a microchip as the means of permanent identification, the dog owner may have a microchip implanted in the dog prior to completing an application for a lifetime license. The dog owner shall complete a lifetime license application and verification of permanent identification form and pay the applicable fees, set forth on the lifetime license application and in sections 200(b) and 201(b) of the act, prior to the county treasurer or agent issuing the lifetime license and tag. The county treasurer or agent shall, upon request of the dog owner, issue a lifetime license application and a verification of permanent identification form. Upon receiving a completed lifetime license application, verification of permanent identification form and the applicable fees, the county treasurer or agent shall complete the lifetime license from information on the lifetime license application and verification of permanent identification form, assign a lifetime license number as set forth in paragraph (1)(ii) and issue the lifetime license and tag. The county treasurer or agent may not issue a lifetime license and tag until the dog owner has properly completed both the lifetime license application and the verification of permanent identification form. The county treasurer or agent shall record both the lifetime license number issued and the microchip number set forth on the verification of permanent identification form. The dog owner shall have 30 days from receipt of a verification of permanent identification form to have a microchip implanted in the dog or have a currently microchipped dog scanned and return a completed verification of permanent identification form to the issuing county treasurer or agent. If the dog owner fails to return the verification of permanent identification form within the 30 day time period, the issuing county treasurer or agent shall void the lifetime license, refund the lifetime license fee, record and designate the lifetime license number as void and report the noncompliance to the Department as set forth in §  21.52. The issuing county treasurer and, if applicable, the agent shall retain the applicable issuance fees, set forth in section 200(b) of the act. The lifetime license number may not be reissued to future applicants other than the original applicant.

   The provisions of this §  21.51 amended under sections 101 and 201 of the Dog Law (3 P. S. § §  459-101 and 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, 459-801, 459-802, 459-901—459-907 and 459-901-A—459-911-A).

   The provisions of this §  21.51 amended March 14, 2003, effective March 15, 2003, 33 Pa.B. 1329; amended November 5, 2004, effective November 6, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 6019. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (296112) to (297117).