WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - Delaware’s governor signed a bill into law Wednesday that limits how long pet owners can keep their dogs tied up outside and specifies the conditions they must be kept in during severe weather events.
The Senate bill signed by Gov. John Carney in Wilmington makes it illegal for dog owners to tether the animals or leave them unattended outside for more than two hours when nobody is home, or nine consecutive hours in a day when somebody is, The Delaware State News reported.
The bill specifies that dogs can’t be left outside unattended at any time when the National Weather Service has issued a weather advisory or warning.
The bill also mandates that between Nov. 1 and March 31, or when temperatures drop below 35 degrees, dogs must be housed in spaces that are raised off the ground, are wind and water proof, are capable of preserving heat and contain a flap over the entrance. The bill prohibits owners from keeping dogs in areas with wire-only flooring.
The animal welfare legislation had been in the works for about two years and was lauded by animal advocates, including The Brandywine Valley SPCA, which provided lobbying support, according to The State News.
Violators could face a fine of $100 dollars for a first violation and up to $500 for repeated infractions, according to the bill.
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