Carbon County dog owners are reminded that man's best friend must be licensed.

The state law requires that all dogs 3 months or older must be licensed annually. Failure to do so is a summary offense and could result in a maximum fine of $300 for each unlicensed dog.Dog licenses are available for 2017.An annual license is $8.50 and a lifetime license is $51.50.If the animal is spayed or neutered, the fees are $6.50 annually or $31.50 for lifetime.Senior citizens and people with disabilities may purchase a license for $4.50 for spayed and neutered dogs and $6.50 for others or $31.50 for lifetime licenses or $21.50 if the animal is spayed or neutered.Anyone purchasing a lifetime license for their dog must have the animal either microchipped or tattooed and must visit the county treasurer's office to make the purchase. For more information, call 570-325-2251.Carbon County residents can purchase their dog licenses from the treasurer's office, located in the courthouse annex in Jim Thorpe, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; online at

www.carboncounty.com or at any of the following locations: Bedrock Notary, 210 Delaware Ave., Palmerton; Palmerton Borough Building, 443 Delaware Ave., Palmerton; Panther Valley Lumber, 99 Riley St., Lansford; Carbon Notary Express, 195 S. First St., Lehighton; Marzen Feed and Hardware, 75 Harrity Road, Lehighton; Halo Inc., 107 Carbon St., Weatherly; Jim Thorpe Pet Center, 1592 Center Ave., Jim Thorpe; Bowmanstown Borough, 490 Ore St., Bowmanstown; and Kidder Township Municipal Building, 10 Lake Harmony Road, Lake Harmony.Checks should be made payable to Carbon County Treasurer.