Governor Jack Markell joined other state officials and animal welfare advocates at The Delaware Humane Association in Wilmington today (Thursday) to sign four bills fortifying the First State’s animal welfare laws.
The new laws put the Department of Health and Social Services in charge of managing state Shelter Standards Laws, the Spay and Neuter Program & Fund and the Companion Animal License Plate Fund.
The laws also clear up the Agriculture Department’s authority over poultry and livestock species and the prevention, eradication and mitigation of diseases that can spread from animals to people.
DHSS Secretary Rita Landgraf says the laws emphasize the connection between animals and people and calls their passage in the General Assembly significant progress in the treatment of animals.
“When we look at the health and well-being of humans, that should be equal to the health and well-being of animals," said Landgraf, "and 'How do we support those who also support animals who have been abandoned, who have been put into harm’s way?'”
Additional legislation ensures the proper training and certification of animal control officers and clarification of when a possibly dangerous dog can officially be impounded.
Another law also eliminates automatic euthanasia of animals seized in criminal activity or instances of cruelty, which Office of Animal Welfare Executive Director Hetti Brown says can involve many types of animals which may not be vicious or mean.
“What this law does is it now mandates that all animals seized in cruelty cases – including animal fighting – are evaluated to see if they would make a great pet or not," Brown said, "versus the alternative which was previously in the law that they would have to be euthanized."
