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New law limits outdoor exposure and sets requirements for outdoor conditions. Today Governor John Carney signed SB 139 into law to protect dogs in Delaware. The signing took place at Carousel Park with many animal advocates in attendance. The law provides greater protection for dogs from long-term tethering and severe weather. This bill was about two years in the making. Senator Walsh, Senator Hansen, Representative Jaques, Representative Williams, the Office of Animal Welfare, and the Brandywine Valley SPCA teamed up to lead the bill to successful passage. The Brandywine Valley SPCA provided lobbying support, facilitated stakeholder meetings, and collaborated with the bill’s sponsors over the past year to help secure the necessary support for passage. “This important bill had stalled due to the diverse interests across the state,” said Adam Lamb, BVSPCA CEO. “We invested in the expertise and time to bring the parties to common ground because we know how important this bill is to the quality of life for many dogs. We’re grateful for all of the animal advocates who stood up for the dogs of Delaware to see this bill passed and to the Governor for his ongoing support for the animals.” Specifically, the bill limits tethering to two hours when the owner is not home and nine consecutive hours in a 24-hour period when someone is on the property. For housing, the bill prohibits wire-only flooring, requires access to food and water in a manner not subject to freezing, and sets the following parameters for the shelter itself: raised off the ground, moisture- and wind-proof, capable of preserving heat and having a flap over the entrance from Nov. 1 to March 31 or when temperatures drop below 35 degrees. Finally, the bill requires dogs to be on a leash unless they are on their own property, on other private property with permission, at a dog park, or fall into specific working dog exemptions. The full bill can be reviewed here. About the Brandywine Valley SPCA Founded in 1929, the Brandywine Valley SPCA is the first open admission no-kill shelter in Pennsylvania and Delaware. In 2019, the BVSPCA cared for more than 13,000 stray, owner-surrendered, wayward owned, and abused and neglected animals while achieving a 96% live release rate. The BVSPCA provides animal protective services for Chester County and much of Delaware County in Pennsylvania, and it holds a five-year contract with the Delaware Office of Animal Welfare to provide state-wide animal services for dogs. Animals are placed through four adoption centers: Dover Campus, Georgetown Campus, New Castle Campus, and West Chester Campus. In addition, the BVSPCA provides families with safety net and low-cost veterinary services at its four clinic locations: the Malvern Animal Health Center, the New Castle Animal Health Center, and the Georgetown Animal Health Center. The BVSPCA also operates the Animal Rescue Center (ARC), a facility dedicated to helping animals with additional needs prior to being ready for adoption, such as cruelty cases, disaster victims, and infants. bvspca.org.