BY STEPHEN H. COWLES/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
stephen.cowles@tidewaternews.com

BOYKINS—Boykins officials are cracking down on making sure dogs are licensed and have rabies shots, as required by law.

Starting Tuesday, Feb. 15, Animal Control Officer Norman Lee will go door to door ensuring residents have their pets’ rabies shots and that licenses are up to date. Tickets will be issued to people who do not have either current.

Lee said the task would take about two weeks to complete.

Dog licenses can be purchased at the Southampton County Treasurer’s Office in Courtland from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The cost is $5 for each dog neutered or spade and $10 for each not fixed.

Rabies clinics will be held 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, at Boykins Volunteer Fire Department and Saturday, Feb. 12, at the Southampton County Dog Pound on Highway 35, Courtland. The cost is $7 per vaccination for dogs and cats older than four months.

Lee recommended the tags be on dogs when walking them.

As for enforcing the ordinance, Lee said a warning would be given the first time to dog owners violating the rules, and a ticket will be issued the second time.

Several weeks ago, a resident walking her dog was bitten in the face by another canine that attacked them, Mayor Spier Edwards said. The injury required the victim to get several stitches. She then made a complaint to the Town Council on Jan. 11.

While the rule has on the books since 2005, it had never been enforced because previous to the attack, “there had never been any real incidents,” Edwards said.

When an issue would come up with someone’s dog, the owner would first be approached to keep the animal under control.

A flyer was issued reminding residents to keep dogs on their property. When walking pets, animals should be accompanied, but not necessarily leashed.

Edwards added there is no leash law because each time it’s been voted down.