Anyone who has dragged a reluctant dog into the vet’s office for shots does not want to repeat the event more often than necessary. That’s why two state laws, administered by two state agencies (the Bureau of Health for rabies vaccinations and Department of Agriculture for licensing), that now are inadvertently forcing some owners to vaccinate their dogs more than needed should be harmonized.

Following a national standard, state law requires that dogs be given a rabies immunization that lasts for three years (except for the initial dose, which lasts for one year). Another state law requires that dogs be licensed by Jan. 1 of each year. In order to license the pooch the law requires that owners must present a certificate showing that the shot was given within 730 days (360 for the initial one). That means most dogs are getting rabies shots every two years with a vaccine that the manufacturer and veterinarians recommend giving every three years.

Although the danger of an unvaccinated dog contracting rabies outweighs the health risks of rabies shots, some dogs have allergic reactions to the shots, which can be made worse with more frequent immunizations, and some immune-mediated diseases can be triggered by vaccinations. The fear of over-vaccination should not cause people to put off immunizing their dog against rabies, which exists in Maine, is fatal and poses risks to pet owners and others who come in contact with a sick animal.

To end the confusion, veterinarians have suggested that dogs be licensed during the same month they are immunized. After the dog was vaccinated in, say, June its owner could then go to the town office to obtain a license. The owner could then return two more times with the same rabies vaccination certificate before it expired and the dog would need to be immunized again.

Spreading licensing throughout the year would be difficult for some towns, especially small ones, according to the Maine Municipal Association. It suggests that the law be changed to extend to three years the amount of time during which a rabies shot was given in order to obtain a dog license. A third approach would be to require proof of “current” vaccination in order to get a license, although some veterinarians worry that these scenarios will allow some owners to go nearly four years without immunizing their dog.

No system will stop those who are intent on violating either law. Dog licenses were initially required beginning in 1981 as a way to encourage people to vaccinate their dogs. However, nationally only about 40 percent of dogs are licensed and well over 90 percent are vaccinated against rabies. Maine numbers are thought to be similar.

A group, to include veterinarians, town clerks and state officials, is now being convened to solve the problem. The solution they craft need not be complicated and should be driven by veterinary medicine, not paperwork concerns.

Protecting canine health and avoiding an unnecessary trip to the vet is sure to garner tail wags all around.