The Dane County Public Health Agency is pushing for an increase in dog license fees this fall that would especially affect owners of dogs that have not been spayed or neutered.

The increase would bring Dane County in line with a state law that mandates a price difference between spayed or neutered dogs and “unspoiled” dogs. State Law says that if a county, city or village raises its license fees, prices must be higher for unadulterated dogs.

If approved by county leaders, the county portion of license fees would increase from $11 for all dogs to $16 for modified canines and $26 for unmodified canines. The higher $26 fee would be a 136 percent increase from the original price set five years ago.

In July, the public health agency said in a budget note that the workload in its animal services program has increased and the increase in dog license fees would bring in nearly $170,000 in additional funding for the program.

In addressing the proposed higher price for intact dogs, the agency cited research on those canines associated with more dangerous behavior.

“Studies have shown that most dog bites are caused by intact male dogs. Because intact dogs pose a higher risk, the fee will be an additional $10,” the agency said.

John Hausbeck, who oversees the Animal Services program, said he received feedback from residents and community leaders who were upset about the proposed roads. For example, Village President McFarland opposed the measure at a County Council meeting this month.

“The people you’re asking to implement these increases are local officials, our local officials, who will have to administer in November one of the most difficult elections of probably anyone’s lifetime. Then we will be asked to pass these types of increases on to our local residents and hear the feedback and reaction to that,” Village President Carolyn Clow said at the Oct. 9 meeting.

Dog license fees are a key source of funding for the Animal Services program. Its other source of funding is general tax revenue. Hausbeck said money earned from dog permit fees helps pay for a short-staffed team.

“The amount we’re asking to raise the tax doesn’t cover our entire revenue gap,” Hausbeck said. “We didn’t raise it any higher because we thought there would be too much of a reaction. … It is difficult to predict what the costs will be. That’s what it really boils down to. What do we need to run the program and what services are requested by the community?”

The Animal Services Program consists of a Senior Officer and five Field Officers. They respond to daily reports of animal abuse or welfare issues, including animal bites. The team also ensures that domestic animals receive proper vaccination, quarantine and observation at home.

“We pay the staff, we pay for the supplies, we pay for the vehicles that we have that our staff use to get around the county, and we also pay for the shelter services that are provided through a contract by the Humane Society,” said Hausbeck.

In 2007, the Animal Services program added support from the Dane County Humane Society. Today, the society provides a holding unit for stray animals. It also provides care, treatment, rabies services and the humane disposal of some animals.

Last year, the public health agency provided one-time funding of up to $230,000 to the Humane Society to fund its services, according to the city of Madison. budget documents.

“The Dane County Humane Society has indicated that expenses related to this service have increased significantly over the years,” the documents state.

The organization’s 29-acre facility at 5132 Voges Road is an open-admission shelter that accepts animals in need of assistance, regardless of age, health or temperament. Its website says all healthy or treatable animals can stay as long as it takes to find a loving home.

Lisa Bernard, a spokeswoman for the Dane County Humane Society, declined to comment on how the organization’s services would be affected by the county’s proposed dog license increases.

In Madison, both dogs and cats can currently be LICENSED for $20 if spayed or neutered. Price is $25 if not modified. Licenses are good for one calendar year. Because state law does not require cats to be spayed or neutered, they would not be affected by the county’s proposed increases.

Pet owners in Madison must license a cat or dog once it reaches 5 months of age. An additional $5 is added if a license is purchased on or after April 1, if pet owners have been residents of Madison for more than one month or have had a pet for more than one month.

The County Council is set to vote today on proposed dog tax increases and other budget measures. If the board approves the budget, it will then go to Interim County Executive Jamie Kuhn to sign or oppose.