Starting May 1, dog licences and tag replacements will be free for the canines of Rocky View County (RVC)  residents.

Division 7 councillor Daniel Henn pushed for the change while RVC council reviewed its 2019 master rates of county fees. The rest of the list was approved as presented.

The move is being made in part to encourage a bigger buy-in from residents but it is also seen by some as an opportunity to investigate the possibility of making online dog licence purchases possible and to increase public awareness.

"I know people in the county who have no idea that a licence is even required for their pet," said at the Mar. 27 meeting. "So wave the fees for a couple of years and get the ball rolling."

Currently, first-time purchases have the option of obtaining a licence by filling in a form at the county office or by either faxing or mailing it to the county. Online or telephone banking options open up upon renewal.

While the licences will be free, they still are required. There remains a $125 fine for unlicenced dogs.

Dog licences were relatively inexpensive in the county. They previously charged $35 for dogs that were non-altered (neither neutered or spayed) and $15 for dogs who have been fixed. It was $25 for non-altered pups ages three to six months, Replacement tags were $10.

The county currently issues about 4,250 dog licences each year.