The Lawrence County commission has extended the county's dog tag deadline.

The tags will now be on sale until Feb. 22. Normally, the tags are on sale from Dec. 1-Jan. 31. In previous years, the county has extended the deadline to give people additional opportunities to make their purchase,

County Commissioner Jason Stephens said. This year, however, there was a delay in getting the tags. Lawrence County assistant dog warden Shannon Neal said bad weather also prevented many people from getting out to buy a tag.

"We've had some bad weather and older people just couldn't get in to get a tag," Neal said. "And the auditor's office was late in getting tags, too, I understand."

Neal said the the $8 dog license and the $40 kennel license will double after the deadline. This is in accordance with state laws.

Neal said the dog tag may seem like an unnecessary expenditure to some dog owners, but it is actually a small price to pay for the pet's safety.

"That way if we should pick them up, we can get them back home," Neal said. "That tag guarantees that dog's life. There are so many strays these days."