STATE STATUTES

 

The state of Wisconsin (State Statute 173.23) requires that all dogs must be rabies vaccinated and have a current license. Requirements for cats vary by the municipality in which you live.
 
Wisconsin law also includes statutes regarding the mistreatment of animals. Included below are some of the relevant topics, but this is not a comprehensive list of all laws concerning animals in Wisconsin. For complete, detailed, up-to-date information, please consult your local library or an attorney.

Wisconsin State Statute 951.02, “Mistreating animals,” states that “No person may treat any animal, whether belonging to the person or another, in a cruel manner.” Conviction under this section does not require proof of intent or negligence.

Wisconsin State Statute 951.08 (1), “Instigating fights between animals,” states that “No person may intentionally instigate, promote, aid or abet as a principal, agent or employee, or participate in the earnings from, or intentionally maintain or allow any place to be used for a cockfight, dog fight, bullfight or other fight between the same or different kinds of animals or between an animal and a person.”

Wisconsin State Statute 951.08 (2) states that “No person may own, possess, keep or train any animal with the intent that the animal be engaged in an exhibition of fighting.”

Wisconsin State Statute 951.08 (3) states that “No person may intentionally be a spectator at a cockfight, dog fight, bullfight or other fight between the same or different kinds of animals or between an animal and a person.”

Wisconsin State Statute 951.13, “Providing proper food and drink to confined animals,” states that “No person owning or responsible for confining or impounding any animal may fail to supply the animal with a sufficient supply of food and water as prescribed in this section. (1) Food. The food shall be sufficient to maintain all animals in good health. (2) Water. If potable water is not accessible to the animals at all times, it shall be provided daily and in sufficient quantity for the health of the animal.”

Wisconsin State Statute 951.14, “Providing proper shelter,” states that “No person owning or responsible for confining or impounding any animal may fail to provide the animal with proper shelter as prescribed in this section.

(1) Indoor standards. Minimum indoor standards of shelter shall include: (a) Ambient temperatures. The ambient temperature shall be compatible with the health of the animal. (b) Ventilation. Indoor housing facilities shall be adequately ventilated by natural or mechanical means to provide for the health of the animals at all times.

(2) Outdoor standards. Minimum outdoor standards shall include: (a) Shelter from sunlight. When sunlight is likely to cause heat exhaustion of an animal tied or caged outside, sufficient shade by natural or artificial means shall be provided to protect the animal from direct sunlight. (b) Shelter from inclement weather. 1. Animals generally. Natural or artificial shelter appropriate to the local climatic conditions for the species concerned shall be provided as necessary for the health of the animal. 2. Dogs. If a dog is tied or confined outdoors under weather conditions, which adversely affect the health of the dog, a shelter of suitable size to accommodate the dog shall be provided.

(3) Space standards. Minimum space requirements for both indoor and outdoor enclosures shall include: (a) Structural strength. The housing facilities shall be structurally sound and maintained in good repair to protect the animals from injury and to contain the animals. (b) Space requirements. Enclosures shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide sufficient space to allow each animal adequate freedom of movement. Inadequate space may be indicated by evidence of debility, stress or abnormal behavior patterns.

(4) Sanitation standards. Minimum standards of sanitation for both indoor and outdoor enclosures shall include periodic cleaning to remove excreta and other waste materials, dirt and trash so as to minimize health hazards.

*Note* The above text is not full or complete.  If you are looking for further information please contact an attorney.

 

 

 

 

 

DUNN COUNTY REGULATIONS

 

County residents must follow their township ordinances pertaining to dogs and other domestic animals.  The following laws are from the State Statutes, which all municipalities follow.  Some townships may have additional ordinances.  Please check with your township or local municipality for their ordinances.

 

a.)    No dogs shall negligently or otherwise, be permitted to run at large.

b.)    No owner of a dog shall negligently or otherwise permit it to be untagged.

c.)    All dog owners are required to vaccinate their dog against rabies at the age of 6 months.  If your dog bites any person, no matter the age of the dog, it will be issued an order of Quarantine.

d.)   Every owner of a dog more than five (5) months of age on January 1 of any year or five (5) months of age within the license year shall annually, or on or before the date the dog becomes five (5) months of age, pay a dog license tax and obtain a license.

e.)    All owners are required to provide proper shelter from the sunlight and inclement weather.

f.)     All owners are required to provide adequate food to maintain all animals in good health.

g.)    All owners should provide adequate water.  If potable water cannot be accessible at all times then it shall be provided daily and in sufficient quantity for the health of the animal.

h.)    All owners are liable for damage caused by their dog.

i.)      No person may abandon any animal.

j.)      No person may treat any animal, whether belonging to the person or another in a cruel manner.

 

 

 

 

 

CITY OF MENOMONIE REGULATIONS

 

The City of Menomonie has enacted several different ordinances pertaining to the control of animals in the city.  They are as follows:

 

a.)    No dogs, cats, or domestic animals shall negligently or otherwise, be permitted to run at large with the city limits.

b.)    All dogs, cats or other domestic animals shall be kept on a leash no longer than eight feet at all times when off the premises of their owner.

c.)    No owner of a dog or cat shall negligently or otherwise permit it to be untagged.

d.)   The owner of a dog, cat or domestic animal shall promptly remove and dispose of in a sanitary manner any excreta deposited by such animal upon any public property or private property other than the premises of its owner.

e.)    Every owner of a dog more than five (5) months of age on January 1 of any year or five (5) months of age within the license year shall annually, or on or before the date the dog becomes five (5) months of age, pay a dog license tax and obtain a license.

f.)     No person owning, occupying or having charge of any building or premises, or any part thereof, shall cause suffer, or allow any unreasonably loud or excessive noise of any nature, whether emitted by a person or persons or an animal or animals, under circumstances in which the conduct, sufferance or allowance tends to cause or provoke a disturbance or which tends to disturb the comfort, quiet or repose of any reasonable person therein or in the vicinity. 

g.)    All dog and cat owners are required to vaccinate their pet against rabies at the age of 5 months.  If your pet bites any person, no matter the age of the pet, it will be issued an order of Quarantine.

h.)    All owners are required to provide proper shelter from the sunlight and inclement weather.

i.)      All owners are required to provide adequate food to maintain all animals in good health.

j.)      All owners should provide adequate water.  If potable water cannot be accessible at all times then it shall be provided daily and in sufficient quantity for the health of the animal.

 

This is just an outline of the city ordinances pertaining to cats and dogs.  For complete wording of the ordinances you may find a copy of the City of Menomonie Ordinance book at the public library.  The ordinances are in Chapter 11 Section 8.  Failure to comply to the above city ordinances will result in citation.