HB 419 Summary

• Transfers dog control law administration and enforcement authority from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to Delaware counties.

• Establishes a voluntary assessment procedure allowing alleged dog law violators to pay fines by mail within 30 days of arrest instead of appearing in court, with minimum fines of $50-$100 for first offenses and $100-$250 for subsequent offenses.

• Creates a Dog Control Panel consisting of 5 members (veterinarian, dog club member, animal behaviorist/trainer, police officer, and SPCA representative) with authority to declare dogs "dangerous" or "potentially dangerous" and order specific containment, liability insurance, and muzzling requirements.

• Defines dangerous dogs as those that killed or seriously injured humans or domestic animals, and potentially dangerous dogs as those that attacked or chased persons on two occasions within 12 months, with escalating penalties up to $2,000 for violations and euthanasia as possible outcome.

• Effective July 1, 2010; directs that all fines from dog-related offenses be remitted to the county where the offense occurred and permits counties to adopt ordinances to enforce these dog control provisions.