Dogs and stray animals
Dogs are required to have a valid license link to form here:
Dogs running at Large
A request for information was received regarding law and penalties for dogs that are running loose. The following are pertinent Wisconsin State statutes for laws and penalties. Please refer to Wisconsin State Statutes for the most up to date information as laws periodically change.In short: Dogs are not allowed to run loose in the neighborhood. Dogs should be licensed (paperwork available at town hall). Fines range from $25-$100 for first offense; $50-$200 for second and beyond.Strays can be brought to the humane society by anyone. We do not have a certified humane officer.Killing a dog is permitted only when there is imminent danger/threat from the animal and other restraining actions failed.Should you wish to take action against a dog owner, resident(s) will need to file a report through 911. It is recommended that the report have photos/video of unrestrained or threatening animal(s).
174.042 Dogs running at large and untagged dogs subject to impoundment; penalties.(1) Dog running at large.(a) Except as provided in par. (b), a dog is considered to be running at large if it is off the premises of its owner and not under the control of the owner or some other person. (2) Untagged dog. A dog is considered to be untagged if a valid license tag is not attached to a collar which is kept on the dog whenever the dog is outdoors unless the dog is securely confined in a fenced area.(3) Dog running at large or untagged dog subject to impoundment. An officer shall attempt to capture and restrain any dog running at large and any untagged dog.(4) Penalties. If the owner of a dog negligently or otherwise permits the dog to run at large or be untagged, the owner shall forfeit not less than $25 nor more than $100 for the first offense and not less than $50 nor more than $200 for subsequent offenses.History: 1979 c. 289; 1983 a. 451; 1999 a. 50.173.13 Taking custody of animals.(c) A person other than a humane officer or a law enforcement officer may not take an animal into custody on behalf of a political subdivision unless the animal is an abandoned or stray animal. If a person other than a humane officer or a law enforcement officer takes custody of an abandoned or stray animal on behalf of a political subdivision, he or she shall deliver the animal to a person contracting under s. 173.15 (1), to a humane officer or law enforcement officer for disposition under s. 173.23 or to a pound.
174.01 Restraining action against dogs.(1) Killing a dog.(a) Except as provided in par. (b), a person may intentionally kill a dog only if a person is threatened with serious bodily harm by the dog and:1. Other restraining actions were tried and failed; or2. Immediate action is necessary.(b) A person may intentionally kill a dog if a domestic animal that is owned or in the custody of the person is threatened with serious bodily harm by the dog and the dog is on property owned or controlled by the person and:1. Other restraining actions were tried and failed; or2. Immediate action is necessary.
A request for information was received regarding law and penalties for dogs that are running loose. The following are pertinent Wisconsin State statutes for laws and penalties. Please refer to Wisconsin State Statutes for the most up to date information as laws periodically change.In short: Dogs are not allowed to run loose in the neighborhood. Dogs should be licensed (paperwork available at town hall). Fines range from $25-$100 for first offense; $50-$200 for second and beyond.Strays can be brought to the humane society by anyone. We do not have a certified humane officer.Killing a dog is permitted only when there is imminent danger/threat from the animal and other restraining actions failed.Should you wish to take action against a dog owner, resident(s) will need to file a report through 911. It is recommended that the report have photos/video of unrestrained or threatening animal(s).
174.042 Dogs running at large and untagged dogs subject to impoundment; penalties.(1) Dog running at large.(a) Except as provided in par. (b), a dog is considered to be running at large if it is off the premises of its owner and not under the control of the owner or some other person. (2) Untagged dog. A dog is considered to be untagged if a valid license tag is not attached to a collar which is kept on the dog whenever the dog is outdoors unless the dog is securely confined in a fenced area.(3) Dog running at large or untagged dog subject to impoundment. An officer shall attempt to capture and restrain any dog running at large and any untagged dog.(4) Penalties. If the owner of a dog negligently or otherwise permits the dog to run at large or be untagged, the owner shall forfeit not less than $25 nor more than $100 for the first offense and not less than $50 nor more than $200 for subsequent offenses.History: 1979 c. 289; 1983 a. 451; 1999 a. 50.173.13 Taking custody of animals.(c) A person other than a humane officer or a law enforcement officer may not take an animal into custody on behalf of a political subdivision unless the animal is an abandoned or stray animal. If a person other than a humane officer or a law enforcement officer takes custody of an abandoned or stray animal on behalf of a political subdivision, he or she shall deliver the animal to a person contracting under s. 173.15 (1), to a humane officer or law enforcement officer for disposition under s. 173.23 or to a pound.
174.01 Restraining action against dogs.(1) Killing a dog.(a) Except as provided in par. (b), a person may intentionally kill a dog only if a person is threatened with serious bodily harm by the dog and:1. Other restraining actions were tried and failed; or2. Immediate action is necessary.(b) A person may intentionally kill a dog if a domestic animal that is owned or in the custody of the person is threatened with serious bodily harm by the dog and the dog is on property owned or controlled by the person and:1. Other restraining actions were tried and failed; or2. Immediate action is necessary.