DOVER, Del.- On Thursday, Delaware's State Senate voted to approve a bill that would improve shelter and tether standards for dogs.
Senate Bill 139 creates rules for how long leashes and tethers can be, and for how long dogs can be left outside. For example, owners are only be able to leave their dogs tethered outside for up to two hours while they're not home. Dogs would need a minimum ten-foot range and access to food and water.
According to the bill, tethers shouldn't be made out of something they could chew through and collars shouldn't cause any pain or harm. One House Amendment defines cruelty as tethering a dog for nine hours or more, and forbids owners from leaving their dogs outside unattended for more than 15 minutes during any hazardous weather advisory.
"Dog owners, by and large, do right by their four-legged friends,” said Middletown Senator Stephanie Hansen. “But, tragically, every year we hear new, heartbreaking stories about dogs being left outside in the freezing cold, overheating in the summer, or being otherwise harmed by neglect. Adding the kind of clear language included in this bill won’t just help enforcement agencies do their job, it will help owners pursue best practices and keep pets and people safe in the First State.” The proposed bill also sets rules for shelters to keep dogs dry and warm outside. The structure must be raised off the ground, made of durable material with a moisture-proof roof and bedding, and have a windbreak for the entrance. It can't be made out of metal or have wire flooring. There are some exemptions in the bill, and amendments clarify how the law impacts dog enclosures and public dog parks.
Owners who fail to obey this civil law will face penalties like speeding. The bill sets those fines at $100 for the first violation, $250 for the second, and $500 for each subsequent violation.
The bill passed 15-5 in the State Senate.
According to a release from the Senate Majority Caucus, the bill is in line with Pennsylvania and New Jersey laws that have limited tethering and added requirements for sheltering during extreme weather.