Governor Carney signs bill to protect Delaware’s dogs

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney signed Senate Bill 139 into law on Wednesday.

The law, which was signed at Carousel Park with many animal advocates attending, provides greater protection for dogs from long-term tethering and severe weather. We’re told the bill was about two years in the making, and was a team effort between Senators Walsh and Hansen, Representatives Jaques and Williams, the Office of Animal Welfare, and the Brandywine Valley SPCA.

The bill limits tethering to two hours when the owner is not home, and nine consecutive hours in a 24-hour period when someone is on the property. For housing, the bill prohibits wire-only flooring, requires access to food and water in a manner not subject to freezing, and requires the shelter to be raised off the ground, moisture and wind proof, capable of preserving heat, and having a flap over the entrance from November 1st to March 31st or when temperatures drop below 35 degrees.

It also requires dogs to be on a leash unless they are on their own property, on other private property with permission, at a dog park, or fall into specific working dog exemptions.