Delaware to take over animal control from counties Jan. 1

(AP) – The state of Delaware will begin handling dog control for its three counties starting Jan. 1.

The Division of Public Health’s Office of Animal Welfare’s Delaware Animal Services enforcement unit has been providing animal cruelty and rabies control since September, and with Friday’s expansion of services to include animal control, all animal law enforcement services will be consolidated into one statewide unit.
    
The City of Wilmington will continue to provide animal control services through a contracted provider until June 30, 2016.
    
According to state officials, a team of 20 state animal welfare officers have completed state animal control and cruelty certification training, attended the Delaware Constable Academy and received field training in animal handling.
    
Animal service calls to 302-255-4646 will be accepted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.