Newark, DE
In Newark, Delaware, each household is restricted to a total of six animals. You may, for instance, have six dogs or six cats, four dogs and two cats, or three dogs and three cats. As per Chapter 5, Sec. 5-4 of Newark's municipal code, this restriction does not apply to dogs and cats under five months of age, not to pet fish. Any person convicted of a violation of Sec. 5-4 will be fined $250 for the first offense, $500 for a second offense, and $750 for each subsequent offense. Dog licenses and rabies vaccinations are required for every dog and cat over the age of six months residing in the City of Newark.
Dover, DE
In one-family residence zones (R-20, R-15, R-10, R-8, and R-7) within the City of Dover, each household is limited to three dogs. This restriction applies only to dogs over six months of age, according to Dover's zoning ordinance, which does not restrict the number of cats you can have in a one-family residence zone. All dog owners in Dover need to obtain a license for their dogs, as required by state law. In addition to dogs and cats, you can have up to five female chickens on a lot that is 10,890 square feet in area.
Smyrna, DE
The Town of Smyrna's municipal code Chapter 14, Sec. 14-6 limits each household to five pets. You can own five cats or five dogs or any combination of both totaling not more than five. Dogs and cats under five months of age and pet fish are exempt from this restriction. If you have more than 5 pets, an animal control officer is authorized to remove animals to reduce the number.
Seaford, DE
The City of Seaford's Animal Ordinance limits dog owners to three dogs and cat owners to five cats. In a household where dogs and cats are kept, the limit is five animals. That's, if you wish to own both cats and dogs, you may keep them in any combination not to exceed a total of five. This regulation applies to the keeping of animals on residential lots/parcels within the City limits. However, it does not apply to the keeping of animals as an accessory use in a Commercial Zone. The ordinance prohibits owners of multiple adjacent residential lots/parcels, or multiple owners of a standalone residential lot/parcel from keeping both cats and dogs in the same household. They may either own cats or dogs. An appeal to this restriction must be heard by the Board of Animal Control, which has the authority to grant or deny such a request.
Bridgeville, DE
No more than two dogs are allowed per dwelling unit in the Town of Bridgeville, Delaware. Puppies under the age of six months are exempt from this limitation. To exceed the two-dog limit, you need to apply for and obtain a kennel license, according to Bridgeville's municipal code, which does not limit the number of cats you can have.
Are there any breeds of dogs banned or restricted in Delaware?
No, there are no breeds of dogs that are banned or restricted in the state of Delaware. What’s more, Delaware state law bans its municipalities from creating breed-specific legislation (BSL). However, there are dangerous dog laws in Delaware. Unlike a BSL, which targets specific breeds such as pit bulls and Rottweilers, a dangerous dog law focuses on any dogs with serious behavior problems.
Delaware state law defines a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog as any dog that has killed or inflicted physical injury or serious physical injury upon a human being or another domestic animal, who's on its owner's property or under the immediate control of its owner.
Also, a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog is any dog that has chased a person on any public or private property, other than the dog owner’s property, in an apparent attitude of attack on two separate occasions within a period of 12 months. Once a dog is declared dangerous or potentially dangerous, it will be seized and impounded by an animal welfare officer.
Conclusion
The maximum number of dogs or cats you can legally own in Delaware depends on where you live. To determine the allowable number of pets per household in your area, contact your local animal control office or search for your city or town's animal ordinance online.
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