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Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(a) A person is guilty of using an animal to avoid capture when, with the intent to prevent, hinder or delay the apprehension of a wanted person, including themselves, they release any animal against a law-enforcement or other authorized person to make arrests under Delaware law.
(b) Use of an animal to avoid capture is a class G felony:
(1) If the person commits any of the acts set forth in subsection (a) of this section with intent to prevent, hinder or delay the discovery or apprehension of, or the lodging of a criminal charge against, a person whom that person knows committed acts constituting a felony, or is being sought by law-enforcement officers for the commission of a felony, or
(2) If the animal injures the law-enforcement officer.
(c) Use of an animal to avoid capture is a class A misdemeanor if the person commits any of the acts set forth in subsection (a) of this section with intent to prevent, hinder or delay the discovery or apprehension of, or the lodging of a criminal charge against, a person whom that person knows committed acts constituting a crime other than a felony, or is being sought by law-enforcement officers for the commission of a crime other than a felony.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Delaware Code Title 11. Crimes and Criminal Procedure § 1257A. Use of an animal to avoid capture G felony; “class A misdemeanor” - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/de/title-11-crimes-and-criminal-procedure/de-code-sect-11-1257a/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
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