What is Animal Cruelty?

  • ABANDONMENT
    Completely forsaking or deserting an animal without making reasonable arrangements for custody of that animal to be assumed by another person.
  • CRUEL MISTREATMENT
    Any treatment, such as physical abuse, whereby unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain or suffering is caused or permitted.
  • CRUEL NEGLECT
    Neglect of an animals whereby pain or suffering is caused to the animal, such as failure to provide food, water, shelter, or veterinary care, or keeping an animal in unsanitary or inhumane living conditions.
  • TETHERING
    A dog may not be tethered for 9 hours or more in any 24-hour period. Tethering of any dog for any amount of time is not permitted for a dog under 4 months of age, or a nursing mother while the offspring are present.
  • LEAVING ANIMAL IN CAR
    An animal may not be confined to a parked car in which the temperature is too hot or too cold while you are not in the car with them.

  • ANIMAL FIGHTING OR BAITING
Cruelty to Animals is defined in 11 Delaware Code, Section 1325