Signed by Governor John Carney, Jr.

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes requirements for the treatment of dogs in cold weather.

Highlights:

• Prohibits any dog from being confined in an unattended outside space during any period where a hazardous weather advisory or warning has been issued by the National Weather Service (Sec. 1).

• Defines “outside and unattended” as any dog that is exposed to the elements for a duration of longer than 15 minutes and not in visual range and physical presence of the owner (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that for the purpose of this act “outside and unattended” shall include a dog in a yard or a dog that is tethered (Sec. 1).

• Exempts a dog that is actively engaged in the protection of livestock, farm property, or poultry from being considered “outside and unattended” so long as the dog has uninterrupted access to a dry agricultural building such as a barn (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits tethers from being on for longer than 2 hours when the owner or responsible person is not present and from being attached to a choke, pinch, prong, or martingale collar (Sec. 1).

• Establishes a civil penalty for failure to comply with the above mentioned provisions as follows (Sec. 1):

• For a first violation a civil penalty of $100 in addition to costs;

• For a second violation a civil penalty of $250 in addition to costs; and

• For each subsequent violation a civil penalty of $500 in addition to costs.

• Exempts working dogs including dogs trained to hunt, assist law enforcement, search and rescue personnel, individuals with disabilities (Sec. 2).

• Defines “Farm” as any place that meets the 2017 USDA Federal Census of Agriculture definition of any place which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced or sold, or normally would have been sold during the census year (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text