Animals (Wild & Domestic)
The Town of South Bethany does not handle complaints of wildlife and animal control, but we have provided information below.
Animal behaving aggressively, sick or injured contact:
Office of Animal Welfare at 302-255-4646
DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife 302-739-9912 or 302-735-3600
Injured birds: Tri-State at 302-737-9543 or visit tristatebird.org/foundinjuredbird.
Someone trying to injure wildlife, call 800-292-3030.
Professional wildlife control companies: https://wildlifehelp.org/
Tips for deterring non-aggressive nuisance animals (Foxes, Raccoons, Snakes)
If you have been bitten or scratched by a Rabid animal:
Call your healthcare provider and/or the DPH Rabies Program at 302-744-4995 or 1-866-972-9705.
An epidemiologist is available 24/7.
If your pet has been bitten or scratched by a Rabid animal:
Contact your veterinarian and report the exposure to the Delaware Department of Agriculture.
Visit www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/dpc/rabies.html
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) at www.cdc.gov/rabies/.
Road Kill Removal: To report road kill (i.e., dead deer, dead dog, etc.) for removal, contact DelDOT at 302-659-4600.
Dogs & Cats: The Town understands this is a beach area — and most people like to let their dogs run free, without a leash; however, to keep the public and other animals safe, the Town would like to inform (and remind) its residents and visitors that the Town and State have a leash law in effect (in effect in the Town per its Town Code Chapter 30), prohibiting all dogs (no matter how old or docile) to roam off the owner’s property without a leash. If you wish to report a dog or cat without a leash, please contact the South Bethany Police Department by calling 302-539-3996.
Dogs & pets are not allowed on the beach from May 15 through October 15 every year.
PLAN AHEAD with Pets/Animals Before/During Emergencies:
- Have an emergency plan. Most shelters do not accept pets, so plan ahead.
- Make your pet a go-bag. Fill a bag with essential supplies; food and water, bowls, can opener, medications, documents, photo of pet, you and your contact information.
- To be informed of any emergency, sign up for your community’s warning system. You can also recent alters from the Emergency Alert System (EAS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio, and the FEMA App.
- Review the Town website and Town emails for updates
- Pet friendly hotels outside of the evacuation zone
- Consider pet boarding places or boarding with a friend or family member outside of the evacuation zone
- Provide proof of up-to-date vaccinations
- Pet wears ID tags at all times, with addresses and phone numbers on tags current.
- Microchipped your pet.
- Never leave your pet behind.
