A spokesperson for the Oneida County Humane Society is hoping the county will consider raising the dog license fee to help pay for the shelter's work.
The county has agreed to pay $40,000 to the group to work with the many animal control issues. The county and city of Rhinelander contract with the group to care for animals.
Treasurer Sue Otis told the Board of Supervisors Oneida County's funding rate is below the average compared to other counties on a per capita basis. While she says more will be discussed on that in the future, she pointed out the charge for dog license fees was among the lowest in the state...
".....we have an idea to fund animal control costs. Oneida County charges the lowest allowable license fees per state statute at three dollars. Counties around us charge $10. The city's of Eagle River and Merrill charge $10. Wausau charges $18......
Otis estimated that if they raised the fee and accomplished full compliance, they would get more than $100,000. She estimated about one-third of dog owners license their animals.
Otis says the $100,000 grant from the Petco Foundation received earlier this year is being targeted to improve the Rhinelander facility.
