By Jordan Frias
It is no surprise that dog owners want to live in the South End as dog ownership is on the rise, according to numbers from the Inspectional Services Department (ISD).
ISD data shows that 75 more dog owners registered their pets in 2015, bringing the total number of dog owners to 318. In 2014, 243 dog owners lived in the South End, said Lisa Timberlake, the department’s spokesperson.
Dog permits were due by April 1 with a $15 license fee for spayed/neutered dogs and $30 for intact dogs. All licenses are valid until March 31, 2017.
The neighborhood is no stranger to canines as it has the City’s first dog park and several other open areas that are ideal for dog walkers, including several of the parks and squares close by.
Within walking distance of Peters Park is Unleashed by Petco and Polkadog Bakery, which specializes in natural, handcrafted treats for dogs, according to its website.
However, the greatest number of permits filed last year came from the 02130 zip code, which includes Jamaica Plain, with 695 dogs registered. The second highest was the 02118 zip code, which includes the South End and beyond, with 488 permits.
In third place, the 02129 zip code, which includes Charlestown, saw the biggest jump in dog ownership, going from 228 to 440 permits, over the past two years.