Delaware law sets penalties and animal bans for repeat cruelty

Repeat animal cruelty violations receive higher criminal classifications. These rules cover repeat violations of Delaware’s animal cruelty law. A misdemeanor is a less serious crime; a felony is a more serious crime. After two misdemeanor violations, further violations that would otherwise be misdemeanors count as class F felonies. After one felony violation, further violations that would otherwise be felonies count as class E felonies.

People with repeat animal cruelty convictions cannot own or possess animals for the specified periods. The ten-year ban covers second or later misdemeanor convictions. The lifetime ban applies upon a second felony conviction. Neither repeat-conviction ban allows exceptions. The ten-year ban runs from the misdemeanor conviction. The lifetime ban lasts for the rest of the person’s life.

People who violate an animal ownership ban face fines and possible loss of illegally owned animals. These penalties cover violations of animal ownership bans imposed after misdemeanor or felony animal cruelty convictions. A first violation of the ownership-ban rule carries a $1,000 fine following misdemeanor convictions or a $5,000 fine following felony convictions. Illegally owned animals are subject to forfeiture, meaning the person loses ownership, under the referenced animal welfare law. The higher fines apply to subsequent violations of the relevant ownership-ban rule.