State of Delaware - <B>Error processing SSI file</B><BR>

Rita Landgraf, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Pager 302-357-7498
Email: jill.fredel@delaware.gov

Date: July 31, 2014
DHSS-7-2014

MEDIA ADVISORY: ANIMAL WELFARE BILL SIGNING CEREMONY

WHO:	Delaware Governor Jack Markell, Legislative Sponsors, Delaware Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Office of Animal Welfare, Delaware Animal Welfare Task Force, animal protection organizations, individuals impacted by dog bites, and cats and dogs, will attend.
WHAT:	Office of Animal Welfare bill signing ceremony. Four bills will be signed: SB 201, relating to the humane killing of animals in shelters; HB 311, relating to the training and certification of Animal Control Officers and Animal Cruelty Investigators; SB 245, relating to dangerous dogs and animal fighting and baiting; and HB 297, relating to dangerous dogs. Leaders in animal welfare will join the Honorable Jack Markell as he signs four bills, creating much needed protection for animals in the state of Delaware. Included in the signing are bills that will establish critical oversight and training programs for animal shelters and Animal Control Officers, new protections for victims of animal cruelty, and a prohibition on inhumane gas chambers as a form of euthanasia.
WHEN:	Thursday, July 31, 2014, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m
WHERE:	Delaware Humane Association 701 A Street, Wilmington, DE, 19801 In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held inside the new building, currently under construction, at the same address. Directions at: www.dehumane.org
SPEAKERS:	The Honorable Jack Markell, Governor, State of Delaware The Honorable Patricia Blevins, Delaware Senate Pro Tempore Rita Landgraf, Secretary, Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Karyl T. Rattay, MD, MS, Director, Division of Public Health, DHSS Hetti Brown, Executive Director, Delaware Office of Animal Welfare Ledy Vankavage, Senior Legislative Attorney, Best Friends Animal Society Special state legislator guests who advocate for animal welfare
VISUALS:	Cats and dogs as part of animal welfare bill signing

QUESTIONS: 302-744-4704

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person's spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com. Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, drink almost no sugary beverages.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

DHSS Press Release

MEDIA ADVISORY: ANIMAL WELFARE BILL SIGNING CEREMONY

Delaware's Government