Delaware Office of Animal Welfare, Delaware State Police Rescue 14 Dogs; 5 Residents Face Felony Dog Fighting Charges

DOVER, DE (Jan. 11, 2023) –   The Delaware Division of Public Health’s (DPH) Office of Animal Welfare (OAW) and the Delaware State Police (DSP) responded to a complaint of suspicious activity at a Seaford residence over the weekend resulting in charges related to dog fighting and the rescue of 14 dogs. One dog died from the injuries sustained from the alleged dog fighting activities. There are five (5) dogs that remain in serious condition, and another eight (8) dogs that are being cared for by Brandywine Valley SPCA.
 

On Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, at approximately 2:00 p.m., DSP responded to a report of suspicious activity around the 26000 block of Lonesome Road in Seaford. DSP conducted an investigation and discovered multiple people at the property actively engaged in dog fighting. DSP took five individuals into custody at the scene. Following the observation of animal fighting, OAW obtained a search and seizure warrant for the property units and took custody of the 14 dogs that were found at the residence.

 The defendants are: 

  1. Samuel Foreman, age 44, of Whaleyville, MD
  2. Timothy Whaley, age 44, of Salisbury, MD  
  3. Bryon Briddell, age 35, of Berlin, MD  
  4. Kevin Land, age 47 of Salisbury, MD or Seaford, DE
  5. Glenn White, age 36 of Salisbury, MD or Wilmington, DE
     

 

OAW charged all defendants with one count each of

  1. Title 11 – 1326 (000A) FELONY 
    1. Own, possess, keep, or use of animal for fighting 
  1. Title 11 – 1326 (000B) FELONY 
    1.  Present at a building/shed /room/yard for animal fight 
  1. Title 11-1325 (00B4) FELONY 
    1.  Cruelly or unnecessary kills or injures any animal 

 

Each of the defendants face the possibility of up to 3 years in prison for animal cruelty which is a Class F felony, and up to a 5-year sentence for animal fighting which is a Class E felony. The defendants posted bail on an $18,000 secured bond from Sussex Correctional Institution (SCI). Part of the bail conditions stipulate that the defendants they have no contact, possession, or ownership of any animals. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this case should contact OAW at 302-255-4646. 

 

Animal Cruelty Complaints 

Cruelty and neglect of animals is against the law (delcode.delaware.gov/title16/c030f/index.html). If you are concerned about an animal’s welfare and suspect cruelty or neglect, contact OAW’s Delaware Animal Services section immediately at 302-255-4646 or report online at animalservices.delaware.gov/report_violation/25. 

 

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The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for its outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation. DPH 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. 
   

Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-Blind, or speech-disabled can contact DPH by first dialing 711 using specialized devices (i.e., TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free; to learn more about how it works, visit delawarerelay.com. 


DNREC’s Brandywine Zoo updated with new animal species and exhibits this spring

WILMINGTON – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation and the Delaware Zoological Society have announced that new animal species, and new and updated exhibits, are now on display for visitors to the Brandywine Zoo.

“We are pleased that visitors can now enjoy all of the new animals, exhibit updates and renovations going on at the Brandywine Zoo, which are part of the zoo’s master plan,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Visiting the zoo is a cherished childhood memory for Delawareans and visitors alike. The 114-year tradition is ongoing, as new generations discover animals from around the world and become inspired to care and learn about the larger world and their role in it.”

The former otter pond exhibit has been transformed into a large goat contact area, where children of all ages can interact with the animals. The resident African pygmy goats were moved to the new exhibit, and have just met the Nubian newcomers, Harry and Lloyd. More goat breeds will be added in the coming months.

What was the zoo’s previous goat-petting area has been updated to house three new Bennett’s wallabies, also known as red-necked wallabies, in residence through the summer. Although not for petting, the wallabies serve as “ambassadors” to engage children in learning about species’ diversity and conservation. The new wallabies, Lulu, Mia and Jack, will remain at the zoo until the fall.

Two common ravens have moved into the large aviary they will share with the zoo’s American bald eagles. All of the birds in the exhibit are non-releasable because of health issues. Ravens resemble crows, but are much larger. The ravens, Kanga and Dichali, arrived from the National Zoo in Washington D.C., and will be permanent residents.

The zoo’s Nature Play Area has been completed, and includes a bird blind, ambassador animal exercise yard, a climb-through log, and an amphitheater that has become the focal site for animal presentation programs, storytime gatherings, concerts, and Zoo Kids activities.

“Appreciation and respect for animals, and acting to conserve wild habitats are top-tier learning objectives at the Brandywine Zoo, said Michael T. Allen, executive director of the Delaware Zoological Society. “The public can experience education programs and special events year-round at the zoo, and engage off-site with our Traveling Zoo programs, which visit schools, libraries and children’s hospitals.”

Other improvements for the season are in the works, including the new goat breeds and a new alligator exhibit, which is expected to open in a few days. Other species are expected to be added in the upcoming months.

The changes being made this year are to create a sense of excitement for visitors, and position the zoo for its first major exhibit – a new Madagascar exhibit, featuring several species of lemurs and radiated tortoises scheduled to open in 2020.

The Brandywine Zoo is home to Andean condors, llamas, bobcat, swift fox, serval, capybara, golden lion tamarin, red pandas, and many birds and reptiles.

About 50,000 people a year visit the Brandywine Zoo and take part in educational and social programs, and more than 15,000 children each year experience the Travelling Zoo program.

The Brandywine Zoo is managed by DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation with the support of the Delaware Zoological Society, a non-profit partner organization that supports the mission of the zoo.

Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No. 109


DNREC’s Brandywine Zoo caring for American alligator recovered during recent Pennsylvania drug bust

DOVER – DNREC’s Brandywine Zoo assisted Chester County, Pa. law enforcement by taking into the zoo’s care a two-foot-long, juvenile American alligator that was found inside a Coatesville, Pa. home during a Feb. 8 drug bust in the town some 40 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

The Brandywine Zoo agreed to house the alligator at the request of Chester County District Attorney Thomas P. Hogan, and it will become an educational animal for zoo visitors during the summer. Afterward, the alligator will be moved to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park, an Association of Zoos and Aquariums-approved facility in Florida that loans the Brandywine Zoo alligators for its summer exhibit.

“We will provide care for the alligator and ensure it is healthy during its stay with the zoo,” said
Brandywine Zoo Director Brint Spencer. The zoo, managed by DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation, “is glad we could be of assistance to Chester County law enforcement in placing the alligator in a healthy environment,” he said.

The alligator was discovered as police in Chester County executed a search warrant at a home in Coatesville, and seized heroin, crack cocaine, suspected fentanyl, cash, and drug packaging materials. Police also found the alligator living in the kitchen of the residence. Three defendants in the case have been charged with drug trafficking and related offenses, and remanded to Chester County Prison.

“Chester County law enforcement deeply appreciates the assistance of zoo director Spencer and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control,” said Chester County District Attorney Hogan. “The zoo and Director Spencer were immediately available to help us deal with the safe handling of the alligator. DNREC’s help provided us with both short-term and long-term placement of the alligator, making sure that it will be treated humanely.”

DNREC’s Brandywine Zoo is temporarily closed through the end of February while construction and improvement projects are made to the zoo’s campus in Wilmington. The zoo’s education building will remain open to host upcoming programs scheduled throughout the month.

The construction projects, undertaken ahead of implementing the zoo’s master plan for operations recently approved by DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation, include the conversion of the zoo’s otter exhibit into a new small animal contact area, and improvements to the honeybees and beehive educational display, and to the Andean condor exhibit. The improvement projects also include installation of new zoo signage, and renovation of the exhibit for the zoo’s South American capybaras – better known as the world’s largest living rodents.

Modifying the exhibits not only will enable the zoo to move some animals into upgraded facilities, but also helps the zoo to prepare for the arrival this spring of new species. Brandywine Zoo Director Spencer said that during construction, some of the animals are being shifted to zoo housing away from the construction work areas, where they will be fully engaged by keepers until returning to their exhibit space.

Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No. 31


DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation’s Brandywine Zoo to close on Tuesday, June 26, for fallen tree removal

WILMINGTON – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation’s Brandywine Zoo will be closed on Tuesday, June 26, while a tree that fell Sunday night is removed. The falling tree damaged the porcupine exhibit (no animals were harmed) and minor damage was reported to the roof of the animal hospital.

The zoo will re-open Wednesday, June 27, at its usual time of 10 a.m.


DNREC Division of Parks & Recreation announces weekday closure of ‘Swinging Bridge’ in Brandywine Park

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation announced today that the “Swinging Bridge,” a pedestrian foot bridge in Brandywine Park in Wilmington, will be closed on weekdays beginning Monday, Feb. 12. The bridge will be open for weekend use.

The Swinging Bridge straddles the Brandywine River between North and South Park Drives. The closure is necessary for the repair of the bridge decking. Repairs are expected to take up to one month to complete.

An alternate river crossing for pedestrians is on the Van Buren Street Bridge to the south.

For more information, contact the Wilmington State Parks Office at 302-577-7020.

Media Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.