A “Most Wanted” list of 142 fugitives was presented to the South Portland City Council Monday night, identifying the names, addresses and descriptions of local law breakers.

But these fugitives from justice are more likely to chase balls than get chased by police.

From Chihuahuas to Bernese Mountain dogs, the South Portland scofflaws have four paws and go by names like Peanut, BoBo and Rosco.

The 142 names are on the city’s annual list of unlicensed dogs in South Portland. The city is tagging them for having expired licenses.

City Clerk Susan Mooney said this week that most every owner winds up meeting the state’s requirements to license their dogs, though some people take some prodding and the threat of escalating fines.

If anything, the annual list shows the diversity of canines in South Portland. They cover the gamut of dog breeds, from several boxers to a basset hound-shepherd mix named Ella.

Labrador retrievers and lab mixes seem to dominate the list of unlicensed dogs, though there are several small breeds, from Pekinese to Pomeranians. Only one pit bull was on the list.

“Jezebel is running loose,” joked Councilor Linda Boudreau about a spaniel mix that was on the list.

Councilor Jim Hughes wryly observed that many owners do not have original names for their pooches, using old standbys like Scruffy, Rocky or Pepper.

But for every common moniker, there also seemed to be an unusual name, like Cowboy, Luigi or Millie Fae Clark, a Boston terrier.

The city does not plan to collar the unlicensed dogs or remove them from their homes. But the owners will be fined for failing to obtain dog tags by Jan. 31, as required by state law. All dogs six months or older, must be licensed in the city or town where their owner resides. Owners have 10 days after adopting a dog to license the new pet.

Dog owners must renew licenses yearly, at a cost of $7 for neutered pets and $12 for dogs that are not neutered. Dog owners receive a metal license tag for their pets’ collars. The licenses identify the animals if they are ever lost, and also show they are vaccinated.

The city keeps $2 of each fee to help cover the animal control officer’s budget. The rest of the money goes to the state to fund efforts to investigate and stop animal cruelty, as well as care for sick, stray and lost dogs.

Mooney said the list of owners and their dogs is on the city’s Web site. She said none of the names should be surprising. South Portland dog owners already have been sent three separate notices in the mail, notifying them that they must renew their dog licenses.

Mooney said residents who are late typically just fell behind in meeting the requirements. Owners must first get a dog’s rabies shot updated before heading to City Hall to renew the dog license, or handling the process online.

The City Council agreed Monday night to notify owners one more time by mail, giving them a deadline of April 1 to buy dog tags for their pooches. In addition to the regular cost of buying a dog license, they also must pay a $25 late fee to the city.

After April 1, the penalty is stiffer. Police will issue warrants for owners to appear in court. The fine at that point will go up to $75.

Mooney said she is constantly updating the list of delinquent dog owners and their unlicensed dogs, as people come in to renew their licenses.

Although residents are facing a tough economy, Mooney doesn’t think people cannot afford to license their dogs. She said there seem to be fewer scofflaws in 2008 than in years past. Most of the 1,712 dogs in the city’s files have up-to-date licenses.

But at the same time, Mooney said the state Department of Agriculture has begun forwarding additional names of residents who got their dogs vaccinated in 2007, but did not apply for municipal dog tags at City Hall. Veterinarians are now required to identify the dogs they vaccinate, so municipalities can cross-check them with their records.

This is a new practice that should yield even more names of pet owners who have flouted the law by failing to license their dogs, Mooney said.

Council Kay Loring lauded the enforcement efforts.

Recently, complaints about dogs have been a constant issue at City Council meetings. Resident Devon Gray, who was at Monday’s meeting, makes it a point to come to every l meeting to report problems she sees with dogs running loose at Willard Beach.

City Manager Jim Gailey has promised stepped-up enforcements to make sure dogs are under voice control when they run free on the beach.

Animal Control Officer Corey Hamilton can also check on wayward dogs at the beach to see if they have their license tags.

“Our community seems to address issues and problems with dogs as they come up. I’m happy to see our enforcement efforts are working,” said Loring.