Owners of unlicensed dogs better watch out, town police now have the authority to summon them to court.

On Tuesday, Selectmen renewed a local statute that allows police to use legal means outside of warning letters and fines to force owners to license their dogs.

Before the vote, the animal control officer was the only public safety official enabled to enforce the town’s dog license bylaws.

The vote, which takes place annually, should serve as a wake-up call to unlicensed dog owners.

“Hopefully, people will license their dogs before they get a notice that asks them to appear in the fourth district court of Wareham,” said Board of Selectmen Chair Naida Parker.