Chapter 6.05
DOGS
Sections:
6.05.050 License and rabies vaccination tags to be attached.
6.05.060 Rabies vaccination required for dogs.
6.05.080 Duty of owner in case of dog or cat bite.
6.05.090 Restrictions on keeping dogs.
6.05.010 License required.
A town resident with a dog more than five months of age on January 1st or five months of age within the license year, shall on or before the date the dog becomes five months of age, pay the dog license tax and obtain a license. (2008 code § 8.05(1))
6.05.020 License application.
Application for a dog license shall be made to the Treasurer or other proper officer of the Town and shall be accompanied by the proper fee. Application forms shall be provided and shall include the following information:
1. The full name, address, and telephone number of the applicant.
2. A complete description of the dog to be licensed.
3. Required fee.
4. If the dog is altered, written proof thereof signed by a veterinarian.
5. A certificate of rabies vaccination issued by a licensed veterinarian. No license shall be issued for any dog unless such inoculation certificate bears a date within one year prior to the date of application for license. (2008 code § 8.05(2))
6.05.030 License fee.
A dog license fee shall be paid by the applicant according to the following schedule:
1. Commencing January 1, 2017, license fees will be as follows:
a. Altered (spayed) female dogs – $12.00 per tag.
b. Altered (neutered) male dogs – $12.00 per tag.
c. Unaltered female dog – $29.00 per tag.
d. Unaltered male dog – $29.00 per tag.
2. Commencing January 1, 2019, license fees will be as follows:
a. Altered (spayed) female dogs – $13.00 per tag.
b. Altered (neutered) male dogs – $13.00 per tag.
c. Unaltered female dog – $32.00 per tag.
d. Unaltered male dog – $32.00 per tag.
3. Kennel license under Wis. Stat. § 174.053(1) – $35.00 for 12 or fewer dogs and an additional $3.00 for each dog in excess of 12. (Ord. 2016-11 §§ 1, 2; Ord. 2014-10 § 1; Ord. 2012-2 § 1; Ord. 2010-14 § 4; Ord. 2009-6 § 1. 2008 code § 8.05(3))
6.05.040 Late license fee.
Any person purchasing a dog license for a dog five months of age or older after April 1st shall pay an additional late fee of $5.00. (2008 code § 8.05(4))
6.05.050 License and rabies vaccination tags to be attached.
The owner shall securely attach the license and rabies vaccination tags to a collar and a collar with the tags attached shall be kept on the dog for which the license is issued at all times, but this requirement does not apply to a show dog during competition, or to a dog securely confined indoors, or to a dog securely confined in a fenced area. A dog without tags attached to its collar shall be presumed to be unlicensed. (2008 code § 8.05(5))
6.05.060 Rabies vaccination required for dogs.
The owner of a dog shall have the dog vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian within 30 days after the dog reached four months of age and revaccinated within one year after the initial vaccination. If the owner obtains the dog or brings the dog into this state after the dog has reached four months of age, the owner shall have the dog vaccinated against rabies within 30 days after the dog is obtained or brought into the state, unless the dog has been vaccinated as evidenced by a current certificate of rabies vaccination from this state or another state. The owner of a dog shall have the dog vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian before the date that the immunization expires on the certificate of vaccination or, if no date is specified, within three years after the previous vaccination. (2008 code § 8.05(6))
6.05.070 Quarantine or sacrifice of an animal suspected of biting a person or being infected or exposed to rabies.
1. Quarantine or Sacrifice of a Dog or Cat. An officer may order a dog or cat quarantined if the officer has reason to believe that the animal bit a person, is infected with rabies or has been in contact with a rabid animal. If a quarantine cannot be imposed because the dog or cat cannot be captured, the officer may kill the animal. The officer may kill a dog or cat only as a last resort or if the owner agrees. The officer shall attempt to kill the animal in a humane manner and in a manner which avoids damage to the animal’s head.
2. Delivery to Isolation Facility or Quarantine on Premises of Owner. An officer who orders a dog or cat to be quarantined shall deliver the animal or shall order the animal delivered to an isolation facility as soon as possible but no later than 24 hours after the original order is issued, or the officer may order the animal to be quarantined on the premises of the owner if the animal is immunized currently against rabies as evidenced by a valid certificate of rabies vaccination or other evidence.
3. Ten-Day Observation Period. The custodian of an isolation facility or the owner shall keep a dog or cat which is ordered to be quarantined in strict isolation under the supervision of a veterinarian for at least 10 days. Supervision of a veterinarian includes, at a minimum, examination of the animal on the first day, on the tenth day and on one intervening day. If the observation period is not extended and if the veterinarian certifies that the dog or cat has not exhibited any symptoms of rabies, the animal may be released from quarantine at the end of the 10-day observation period.
4. Extended Observation Period for a Dog or Cat Exposed to a Rabid Animal. If a dog or cat is suspected to have been in contact with a rabid animal, the observation period may be extended unless the owner agrees to have the animal killed. If the dog or cat is not currently immunized against rabies, the officer may order the owner to keep the animal in strict isolation for an additional 170 days and the owner shall have the animal vaccinated against rabies between 145 and 155 days after the beginning of the original observation period. If the dog or cat was immunized against rabies, the officer may order the owner to have the animal revaccinated as soon as possible and to keep the animal leashed or confined for an additional 60 days. If a veterinarian certifies that the dog or cat has not exhibited any symptoms of rabies during the extended observation period, the animal may be released from quarantine at the end of that period.
5. Sacrifice of a Dog or Cat Exhibiting Symptoms of Rabies. If a veterinarian determines that a dog or cat exhibits symptoms of rabies during the original or extended observation period, the veterinarian shall notify the owner and the officer who ordered the animal quarantined, and the officer or veterinarian shall kill the animal in a humane manner and in a manner which avoids damage to the animal’s head. If the dog or cat is suspected to have bitten a person, the veterinarian shall notify the person or the person’s physician. (2008 code § 8.05(7))
6.05.080 Duty of owner in case of dog or cat bite.
Every owner or person harboring or keeping a dog or cat who knows that such dog or cat has bitten any person shall immediately report such fact to the Health Officer and the Police Department and shall keep such dog or cat confined as the Health Officer or Police Department shall direct. (2008 code § 8.05(8))
6.05.090 Restrictions on keeping dogs.
No person shall own, harbor or keep any dog which:
1. Is off the premises of its owner without being securely fastened to a leash held or under control of its owner or his agent.
2. Habitually barks or howls to the annoyance of any person or persons.
3. Kills any domestic animal.
4. Assaults or attacks any person. (2008 code § 8.05(9))