CHAPTER 116
FORMERLY
HOUSE BILL NO. 261
AS AMENDED BY HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 7 AND. ITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DOGS; AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR "CERTAIN OFFENSES AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT CANINES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE.ONeRAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (Two—thirds of all members elected to each House thereof concurring therein):
Section 1. Amend §1717(a), Chapter 17, Title 7, Delaware Code, by striking said paragraph (a) in its entirety .and substituting:in lieu thereof a new paragraph (a) to read as follow's:"
"(a) Whoever .01161ly tortures, poisons, beats, kicks, strikes,
mutilates, injures, disables,: or 'otherwisemistreats a dog used to assist the blind, the visually.'impO.red, or the handicapped shall be fined not less than $50 for each offense.; nor more than $100.",
' Section. 2. Amend Spbpattl),''Subchapter VI, Chapter 5, Title 11 of the Delaware Code by adding thellet07:"new section, designated as-51250, which new
section -shall read as follows:
41250. Offenses-againifialeenforcement canines
(a). Harassment Of:a:cfaednfOrCement canine.
A person-.1sAiii*Of. harassment of a law 'enforcement canine when :suc• person inten•ionalayAarasses, menaces, challenges or alarms a law
Enforcement canihee:trfhehtves in such a manner:.es is likely to provoke a.Violent;:lliteh00:0r. threatening 'response f0Owthe law enforcement Canine, suciit'W490.9)09:0i°1Aring of teeth, if„stichlreiponse from the 'canine causetAlarft,jitii4SS, fear, or risk ofiinjury to any person or ' to the ,/caniheihikessiedt .of. a, law enfortement• canine is an unclassified-misdemeanor.
4.
(b) Assaul•tn.the.iacond degree against a law,ehforcement canine.
A person, is gullty of assault ln the secon0'-di9ree against a law enforcement CaninCilhewsuch%Person intentionallPdr recklessly engages ,in Conduct which creates a.substanttal risk of.•6si••al injury or death .to a law.enforcemefit'eanipe, including but mot':.,14mited to beating, poisoning :.or;:torlUOnCsuch •canine. Assault.the second degree against wieW.OnfiVeeftlet4mine is a Class A misdemeanor.
(c)' AsiauWWthe,,ftatkiegree'llainst a laW•OfOrCeeient canine.
Approved July 5, 1991