You can renew your dog's license at the Butler County Courthouse or at one of 15 other locations, or you can mail in the form with a 48-cent stamp.

Next year, you'll be able to fill out and file the form via the Internet.

Butler County Treasurer Diane Marburger hopes the added convenience will help the county get closer to full licensure for dogs. The dozen or so counties that use the online service have reported that the number of licenses has increased dramatically, she said.

Ms. Marburger said Butler County issues about 28,000 licenses annually. She said data programs that estimate the number of dogs in the county indicate the number should be closer to 39,000.

Not only will the computer program allow for from-your-home renewal of the annual license, the program will feature a "lost dog" page for people who have found or are looking for a lost dog.

The fee is $8 to obtain a license from the treasurer's office or by mail. Independent agents, located in some stores and libraries, charge 50 cents more. For Internet purchases, a $2 "convenience fee" will be added to the base cost, bringing the total to $10. Senior citizens pay $2 less for eachmethod.

The new program will be in effect in 2010.

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