What are the dog laws in Wisconsin? Does Wisconsin have dog laws? If you live in this state, you might be wondering what the law says about issues like rabies vaccination, dog bites, dog cruelty, and dog chains.
Read on for more information about dog laws in Wisconsin.
What Dog Vaccines Are Required by Law in Wisconsin?
All dogs residing in Wisconsin must receive a rabies vaccination by five months of age. After their first vaccination, owners must vaccinate dogs either annually or triannually depending on the vaccination they receive. Even friendly dogs may bite on occasion under stressful circumstances, so it’s best to practice safety first and always keep your dog up to date on their vaccines. While the law doesn’t require any other vaccines in Wisconsin, your veterinarian will often recommend additional vaccines for highly transmissible diseases such as parvovirus; vaccinating your dog for these diseases as well is a great preventative measure to keep them safe in public areas like the dog park.
If an unvaccinated dog bites someone in Wisconsin, the state will consider them a potential rabies carrier and they may be quarantined and/or face euthanasia. If they are not showing symptoms of rabies, they will go through a ten-day quarantine to check for developing symptoms.
What Are the Dog Bite Laws in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin’s dog bite statutes hold dog owners strictly liable for damages resulting from a bite or attack by the dog on another person, domestic animal, or property. If the dog’s owner knew that the dog previously caused injuries, the owner must pay double damages. The owner also faces a fine and other penalties.
There are cases where dogs will not be considered aggressors in attacks, even if previously proven to be dangerous. Dog owners are not responsible for attacks in which the dog was provoked or protecting the owner. This could include yelling at, hitting, or throwing objects at the dog. Additionally, if you were trespassing on private property and then an otherwise contained dog attacked you, the dog’s owner would not be liable.
Additionally, in some cases, there may be a ‘common sense’ prohibition on finding a dog owner liable. For example, most people know to leave an eating dog or a mother with puppies alone. Bothering an animal when you could predict aggressive behavior will not always result in liability for the owner.
A dangerous dog, particularly a repeat offender, may be euthanized if this is determined to be in the best interest of the safety of the community. After one documented bite, the state of Wisconsin considers a dog vicious. This means that subsequent bites may lead to euthanasia. Additionally, a severe enough attack could lead the court to determine euthanasia is the best course of action even for a first offender.
What Are Wisconsin Dog Abandonment Laws?
What is considered animal abandonment in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has little definition for animal abandonment in its laws. WI Stat § 951.15 (2014) simply states that ‘no person may abandon any animal.’
What is the punishment for animal abandonment in Wisconsin?
Although it varies, it’s likely that someone who has abandoned a dog could be charged with animal cruelty, which is a misdemeanor.
Who pays for an abandoned dog’s vet care in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin law determines that when an owner abandons an animal, they relinquish all rights to them. However, the old owner may still be responsible for costs of care in cases such as abandonment at a boarding kennel.
What Are Wisconsin Dog Cruelty Laws?
What is considered dog cruelty in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has a wide range of defined actions that are viewed as animal cruelty. Of course, it is illegal to hit, kick, beat, or otherwise inflict physical pain or suffering on a dog unless in the case of self-defense or an otherwise justifiable action. The law also considers it animal cruelty to deprive a dog of things that one could reasonably assume they need – food, water, shelter, exercise, vet care.
What is the punishment for dog cruelty in Wisconsin?
Relatively minor charges in Wisconsin may result in a fine or a misdemeanor charge. However, aggravated animal cruelty in Wisconsin is a felony.
What is the punishment for dogfighting in Wisconsin?
As in the other 49 states, dogfighting is a felony in Wisconsin. This doesn’t apply only to those directly fighting their animals. Charges can also occur for those betting on or attending dogfights in Wisconsin. It’s also illegal to train dogs for the intent of fighting, even if you aren’t directly participating in dogfights.
What Are Wisconsin Dog Chain Laws?
Tethering or chaining a dog is legal in Wisconsin. Wisconsin does have a list of ordinances concerning tethering; however, most of these are fairly common-sense humane treatment. For example, tethers must be at least six feet in length, and you may not tether a pregnant or nursing dog.
How Does Wisconsin Dog Law Rank Against Other States?
The Animal Legal Defense Fund ranks Wisconsin #27 out of all 50 US States for animal protection laws. This makes Wisconsin a ‘middle-tier’ state by its standards.
Why does Wisconsin rank this way? There’s plenty of good and some bad about this state’s animal protection laws. On the plus side, veterinarians in Wisconsin must report suspected animal cruelty. Additionally, Wisconsin has a “Good Samaritan” law allowing civilians to rescue animals left unattended in cars. But, there are no felony provisions for negligent or reckless animal neglect or abandonment, and no statutorily authorized sentencing to mental health evaluation or treatment.
