ROYAL CITY — Royal City residents may face a citation if they don’t license their dogs in 2021.

Royal City City Council members accepted a recommendation to push dog licensing, after a discussion during the regular council meeting Jan. 19.

Council member Tiffany Workinger said she wondered if the city was making back what it spent on enforcing dog licensing and asked about other options, like a longer-term license, or a one-time license.

Public works director John Lasen said the annual license allows the city to track vaccinations for rabies. Some rabies vaccinations must be updated yearly, while others are good for up to three years. The only way to verify whether they’re up to date is to require a yearly license, Lasen said.

Workinger asked for an estimate of dogs in town whose owners purchased a license. Lasen estimated it at about 30% to 35% and public works crews are acquainted with most of the dogs in town.

Lasen said city officials about 20 years ago licensed most dogs. It took an effort from the city staff, he said, a lot of letters to dog owners and a few tickets. But, eventually most people complied. He suggested city officials consider that approach again.

Dog owners living in the city limits will receive letters reminding them to buy a dog license. People who ignore the requirement will be subject to a citation.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached at [email protected].