Felton Couple Charged with Animal Fighting

Delaware Animal Services (DAS), the enforcement unit within the Office of Animal Welfare, announces the arrest of a man and woman involved in a cockfighting incident in May.

Billy Keen, age 51, and Andrea Keen, age 43, of Felton were arraigned August 18, 2023.  The husband and wife were each charged with one felony count of possessing an animal for the purpose of fighting. Andrea was additionally charged with a one felony count of being present for animal fighting. Both were released on their own recognizance.

On May 6, DAS received a report of a cockfight occurring at a farm located in the 3000 Block of Sandtown Road in Felton. When an animal welfare officer arrived, the officer found an active cockfight taking place with a crowd of people in attendance. Attendees quickly fled the scene.

Subsequently, DAS obtained a search warrant for the property. The investigation revealed that Andrea and Billy Keen, who own the farm, host illegal cockfighting events on the property.

Animal fighting is a cruel blood sport in which roosters bred for aggression are placed in a pit to fight for entertainment and gambling, often until one or both birds die.  Animal fighting is often linked to other crimes such as weapons, drugs and human violence.  It is illegal in all 50 states, and a felony crime in Delaware.

Anyone with information concerning this case is asked to contact Delaware Animal Services at 302-255-4646. All tips may remain confidential.


DPH Announces Prescription Monitoring Program Data Updates to My Healthy Community Dashboard

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), in collaboration with the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation (DPR), announces important updates to the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder section of the My Healthy Community (MHC) Dashboard

These updates are located within this section’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) tab and present trends in prescription drug dispensing in Delaware. The most notable update to the PMP page is a color-coded matrix to identify communities that may be at higher risk of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). The rate of prescriptions for high dose (greater than or equal to 90 Morphine Milligram Equivalents [MME]) and extended-release opioids are indicators of a high need for treatment. The key indicators available on the site include:  

  • Prescription opioids  
  • High-dose opioids  
  • Long-acting/extended-release opioids  
  • Benzodiazepines filled in the same month as an opioid  
  • Cash paid opioid prescriptions  
  • Opioid prescriptions paid by Medicaid  
  • Opioid partial agonist prescriptions  
These indicators are shown by count and rate of prescriptions and include data on the number of people filling those prescriptions. Trend data for filled prescriptions indicate a steady decline in dispensed opioids and an increase in OUD treatment medications.  
Although the rates of filled opioids has declined 29% from 2006 to 2019 in the U.S., Delaware is higher than any other state in the United States with high-dosage (greater than or equal to 90 MME) opioid prescription fill rate at 7.8 prescriptions per 100 persons and long-acting/extended-release opioids at a rate of 10.1 prescriptions per 100 persons, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2019 Annual Surveillance Report on Drug-Related Outcomes. In 2020, Delaware ranked third highest among all states in drug overdose death rates with a rate of 47.3 per 100,000 population (CDC, 2021). 
In November 2022, CDC released the CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain. This updated report from the 2016 Guidelines includes more information on acute pain management and alternatives to opioids for pain. DPH has continued to educate physicians and pharmacists on best practices for pain management. This includes offering one-on-one education and continuing education opportunities and working with Delaware providers to create educational materials for providers and patients. DPH has compiled an inventory of Delaware-specific, evidence-based pain management resources for prescribers and dispensers at Prescription Medications | Help is Here Delaware.  
The MHC data platform presents indicators of health outcomes to the public and has implemented an innovative methodology to facilitate the presentation of health, demographic and social determinant data in Delaware. The software provides an extensible framework for integrating data sets, generating analyses and visualizations, and managing both public and internal reports. The CDC’s Overdose Data to Action grant funded the updates to this portion of the dashboard and funds the Delaware PMP. DPH worked with the Division of Professional Regulation’s Office of Controlled Substances to make PMP data publicly available for these updates.     
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction in Delaware, call DHSS’ 24/7 Crisis Hotline to be connected to treatment and recovery options. In New Castle County, call 1-800-652-2929. Or in Kent and Sussex counties, call 1-800-345-6785. For free 24/7 counseling, coaching, and support, as well as links to mental health, addiction, and crisis services call the Delaware Hope Line at 833-9-HOPEDE. To search online for treatment and recovery services in Delaware or nearby states, visit HelpIsHereDE.com.  


Keep Your Cool in Extreme Heat Conditions

With the summer season in full swing, extreme heat conditions can pose a serious threat to our health and well-being. The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) reminds Delawareans that it is important to take extra precautions to stay safe and healthy. 

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat exhaustion, heat stroke and other serious health complications. Heat exhaustion can cause a variety of symptoms, including excessive sweating, dizziness, nausea, headache and muscle cramps. If left untreated, symptoms can progress to more severe conditions such as confusion, trouble breathing and even loss of consciousness. Although rare, heat stroke is a true medical emergency that should be addressed by getting out of the sun and seeking immediate medical attention.  

Delawareans are advised to follow these steps to avoid heat-related illnesses: 

Avoid direct sunlight and find a well-ventilated, air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, spend some time in an air-conditioned public facility, such as a library or mall. Even if the windows are slightly open, children, individuals or pets should never be left in cars. To remind yourself that a child is in the car, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend keeping a stuffed animal in a car safety seat unless a child is buckled in it. When the child is buckled in, place the stuffed animal in the front with the driver. Be certain that everyone has exited the car. 

To prevent sunburn, apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher 30 minutes before going outside and reapply it as directed. 

Keep yourself hydrated. In the heat, CDC recommends drinking water every hour, regardless of activity level. Instead of drinking caffeinated, alcoholic and carbonated drinks, reach for water when you’re thirsty. Regular urination and pale or clear urine are signs that a person is drinking enough fluids. Dehydration symptoms include dark urine, thirst, dry mouth, dry lips, headaches and dizziness. In order to replace salt and minerals lost through heavy sweating, dehydrated individuals should drink a sports drink or fruit juice.  

Don’t drink more water than you need to quench your thirst. It is possible to develop hyponatremia, a potentially fatal loss of sodium levels, when you drink too much water. Monitor adults who are at risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke twice a day. Children and infants require more frequent supervision. In case of severe symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, confusion, seizures or coma, call 911. 

Limit outdoor activity, especially mid-day when the sun is hottest. Exercise or hold sports team practices early in the morning or in the early evening. If you must be outside, wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Wear a hat or use an umbrella for shade. Avoid taking a cold shower too soon after coming in from hot weather; it can cause hypothermia, especially in the elderly and children. It is better to use cool water than ice cold water in these cases. 

Stay informed. As well as knowing the warning signs of heat-related illnesses, be aware of local heat alerts. Infants and children younger than 4 years old, those 65 years and older, outdoor workers, athletes and obese people are at high risk of heat-related illness, along with those taking certain medications, having poor circulation, high blood pressure and living with mental illness. Fever, sunburn, dehydration and alcohol consumption are also risks. Check on a friend or neighbor during extreme heat events.  

For more information, visit the CDC website at cdc.gov/extremeheat/warning.html. 

Make a Heat Plan for Pets:

The Division of Public Health and its Office of Animal Welfare also urge pet owners to make a plan for caring for their pets. Animals at the greatest risk of stress from the heat include pregnant or lactating animals, very young and older animals, animals with darker coats, obese pets, short-nosed dog breeds and animals with chronic health conditions. Signs of heat stress can include panting, increased salivation, restlessness, muscle spasms, increased heartbeat and body temperature, weakness, lack of coordination, bright red or pale and sticky gums, vomiting, diarrhea and depression. 

  • Pets should not be left in vehicles, even in mild temperatures: Animals kept inside a vehicle in warm or hot temperatures are susceptible to heatstroke. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the interior of a vehicle can reach 89 degrees in just 10 minutes when the temperature outside is just 70 degrees. At 80 degrees outside, a vehicle’s interior can reach 99 degrees in that time. Temperatures will continue to rise inside a vehicle, and the AVMA states that cracking windows does little to help. Call 911 immediately if you see a pet left unattended in a vehicle. 
  • Animals should have access to shade and water when outside: The best place for pets in hot temperatures is inside the home. If a pet must be outside in the heat, make sure the animal has a shaded area and fresh water to help stay cool. The interiors of cat and dog houses can get very hot in summer months and, therefore, do not provide adequate shade. 

 

  • Practice caution when walking dogs in the heat: The best time of day to walk dogs in summer months is in the early morning or late evening when the sun’s heat is not as intense. A simple touch of the hand to any surface where a walk is planned will tell if it’s too hot for a dog. If it’s too hot for a human hand, it’s too hot for a dog’s paws. 
  • Pay attention to signs of heat stroke: Just like humans, dogs are susceptible to heat stroke in high temperatures, especially if there is increased activity or little ventilation. A dog that is drooling and panting due to heat can quickly progress to a heat stroke, which can be life-threatening. Immediate veterinary attention is suggested for dogs that have become over-heated. 

 

By following these steps, we can all stay healthy and safe during extreme heat conditions. Let’s make this a summer to remember for all the right reasons.


UPDATE: DMV Operational Changes for June 8, 2023, Cash Booths at Tolls Plazas Now Open

Due to a reduction in the Air Quality Index (AQI) CASH BOOTHS at the toll plazas OPENED at 4:45 pm today, June 8, 2023. The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will continue to monitor the AQI forecast and determine the effects it may have, if any, on DMV operations for Friday, June 9, 2023.

Residents can continue to check the air quality for the coming days and sign up for air quality alerts at de.gov/aqi.

Customers can also avoid traveling outdoors by opting to complete more than 20 DMV transactions online at mydmv.delaware.gov/ including Delaware driver license, identification, and vehicle registration renewals, duplicates, and address changes.


Delaware Animal Services Seeks Tips for Cockfighting Incident in Felton

The Delaware Division of Public Health Office of Animal Welfare’s Delaware Animal Services (DAS) is seeking the public’s help in providing any information regarding an illegal cockfighting ring in Felton.  

On Saturday, May 5, 2023, DAS responded to a report of cockfighting in progress in the 3000 Block of Sandtown Road, Felton. Upon arrival, an animal welfare officer found the fight in progress, with approximately 50 people on scene including children. The people fled the scene and only a few could be positively identified, including the property owners.  

Animal fighting is a cruel blood sport in which roosters bred for aggression are placed in a pit to fight for entertainment and gambling, often until one or both birds die. Animal fighting is often linked to other crimes such as weapons, drugs and human violence. It is illegal in all 50 states, and a felony crime in Delaware. 

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information is urged to contact Delaware Animal Services at 302-255-4646 or online at animalservices.delaware.gov. Tips may be made anonymously.