So long, golden retriever. Delaware has new official state dog

The "rescue dog" is now the official Delaware state dog.

At an event at the Humane Animal Partners in Wilmington, Gov. John Carney signed Senate Bill 37, designating rescue dogs as the official state dog of Delaware, replacing the golden retriever.

The bill was introduced in January by Sen. Jack Walsh and was approved with a wide majority by the state's House and Senate.

“We are thrilled to see SB 37 become law and make Delaware history,” stated Humane Animal Partners’ chief executive officer, Patrick Carroll. “We know this recognition will help save rescue animals.”

The new state dog comes a few weeks after three bills were introduced to protect domestic animals from abuse, granting protection from abuse orders to pets in danger of cruelty and requiring law enforcement and other state agencies to report suspected animal cruelty when investigating domestic abuse or child welfare cases.

"Delaware animal shelters take in thousands of pets each year, all of whom are waiting to find their forever home," said Sen. Walsh. "Senate Bill 37 reaffirms the General Assembly's support for animal welfare and our commitment to ensuring that every rescued pet will be cared for, loved and protected against abuse."

Delaware's Humane Animal Partners rescues over 4,000 dogs annually. It is also the former home of President Joe Biden's rescue dog Major, a German shepherd who is the first shelter dog to live in the White House. Three days before President Biden's inauguration, Humane Animal Partners held an "indoguration" for Major, in a virtual ceremony that was viewed by over 7,400 people and featured a performance from Josh Groban.

Contact Molly McVety at mmcvety@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Rescue dogs are now Delaware's state dog, replacing golden retriever