Del. Code Ann. tit. 16, § 3076F
Finding to declare a dog dangerous; duties of dog owner [For application of this section, see 84 Del. Laws, c. 390, § 13]
77 Del. Laws, c. 428, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 79 Del. Laws, c. 376, § 3; 80 Del. Laws, c. 248, § 6; 81 Del. Laws, c. 96, § 4; 84 Del. Laws, c. 390, § 9;
(a) The Justice of the Peace Court may declare a dog to be dangerous if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that the dog has done any of the following:
- (1) Killed or inflicted serious physical injury upon a human being.
- (2) Killed or inflicted serious physical injury upon a domestic animal, provided the domestic animal was on the property of its owner or under the immediate control of its owner.
- (3) Inflicted physical injury upon a human being or a domestic animal after the dog has been declared potentially dangerous under § 3077F of this title.
(b) If the Justice of the Peace Court declares a dog to be dangerous, or a dog’s owner voluntarily agrees to the designation of dangerous, it is unlawful for any person to keep or maintain such dog unless all of the following occur:
- (1) The dog is spayed or neutered.
- (2) The dog owner procures and maintains liability insurance in the amount of at least $100,000, covering any damage or injury which may be caused by such dog.
(3) The dog is confined by its owner within a proper enclosure or, when outside of the proper enclosure, the dog is all of the following:
- a. Securely muzzled.
- b. Restrained by a substantial leash that is not retractable and does not exceed 6 feet.
- c. Under the physical control of a responsible adult.
- (4) The dog owner displays, in a conspicuous manner, a sign on the dog owner’s premises warning that a dangerous dog is on the premises. The sign must be visible and legible from the public highway or 100 feet, whichever is less.
- (5) The dog owner immediately notifies the Department when the dog is loose, unconfined, has attacked a human being or a domestic animal, has been moved to another address, or dies.
- (6) The dog is licensed.
- (7) The dog is vaccinated for rabies.
- (8) The dog is microchipped, and the microchip is registered to the owner.
- (9) The dog owner meets any other condition that the Justice of the Peace Court has deemed reasonable, given the circumstances of the case.
- (c) It shall be unlawful for the owner of a dangerous dog to sell, offer for sale, or give away said dog to any other person other than the Department. If a dangerous dog is given to the Department, the dog shall be disposed of by euthanasia in accordance with subchapter I of this chapter.
77 Del. Laws, c. 428, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 79 Del. Laws, c. 376, § 3; 80 Del. Laws, c. 248, § 6; 81 Del. Laws, c. 96, § 4; 84 Del. Laws, c. 390, § 9