Mercer County Treasurer Ginny Richardson and state Agriculture Secretary Sam Hayes are encouraging the purchase of 2003 dog licenses.

All dogs 3 months or older must have a current license. Dogs must be licensed at the beginning of each year. Owners of unlicensed dogs are subject to fines of up to $300, plus court costs.

The licensing program provides valuable benefits to dog owners, including reuniting lost dogs with their owners, the two officials said. All dog tags have a phone number on the back. Anyone who finds a lost dog can call the number at any time and be directed to the owner.

"The values of a dog license are limitless," Ms. Richardson said. "Your dog is first to greet you when you come home, your dog is willing to take walks with you in any kind of weather and even play ball any time of day. In return, your dog shows you unconditional love. Now show how much you love your dog by purchasing a 2003 dog license. If your friend is lost, a license is an easy way for someone to identify your dog, leading to a happy reunion."

Licenses are available at the treasurer's office in the courthouse or at the following locations:

   » Campbell's Camp Perry, 2554 Perry Highway, Clarks Mills.

   » McCartney's Feed and Hardware, 1683 Airport Road, Fredonia.

   » Greenville Agway, 44 Morgan St.

   » Hurlbert's Hardware, 184 Main St., Greenville.

   » Grove City Agway, 111 Breckenridge St.

   » Hermitage Veterinary Clinic, 1500 N. Hermitage Road.

   » Lengel's Hermitage Agway, 4065 E. State St.

   » Shenango Valley Animal Shelter, 2599 Broadway Ave., Hermitage.

   » Sereday's Mercer Mill, 659 E. Market St., Mercer.

   » Burnett's Jamestown Hardware, 209 Liberty St., Jamestown.

   » John N. Miller, 216 Leesburg Station Road, Wilmington Township.

   » Wilmington Township building, Auction Road.

   » Sandy Lake Mills, 26 Mill St.

   » South Pymatuning Township building, 3483 Tamarack Drive.

   » Sereday's True Value, 63 Garfield St., West Middlesex.

For more information about Pennsylvania's dog law and dog licensing, call the treasurer's office at (724) 662-4440 or the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement at (717) 787-3062.