Delaware Administrative Code
Title 3 - Agriculture
900 - Poultry and Animal Health
903 - Exotic Animal Regulations
Section 903-13.0 - Escape, Loss, and Release

When an exotic requiring permitting in accordance with these regulations escapes or is lost from its enclosures, the owner or custodian of said exotic must notify the Department and the appropriate animal control agency of the escape/loss as soon as possible but no later then three (3) days after first learning of the escape or loss. The owner or custodian of an escaped or lost exotic has a duty to offer assistance to recapture the exotic and must reimburse the Department for any expenses it incurs associated with recapturing the exotic including damage to persons, animals or property. It is unlawful to release an exotic requiring permitting in accordance with these regulations. If the Department is not notified by the owner or custodian of the escape or loss within aforementioned three (3) days, the exotic shall be presumed to be released unlawfully. A failure to comply with this provision constitutes an offense punishable in accordance with 3 Del.C. § 7203.