WisconsinAB612025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)House

An Act to amend 951.18 (2m) of the statutes; Relating to: injuring or killing a police or fire animal and providing a penalty.

Sponsored By: Deb Andraca (Democratic), David Armstrong (Republican), Brent Jacobson (Republican), Elijah Behnke (Republican), Lindee Brill (Republican), Calvin Callahan (Republican), Barbara Dittrich (Republican), Bob Donovan (Republican), Joy Goeben (Republican), Rick Gundrum (Republican), Dean Kaufert (Republican), Joel Kitchens (Republican), Rob Kreibich (Republican), Dave Maxey (Republican), Vincent Miresse (Democratic), Amanda Nedweski (Republican), Jerry O'Connor (Republican), William Penterman (Republican), Jim Piwowarczyk (Republican), Christine Sinicki (Democratic), David Steffen (Republican), Paul Tittl (Republican), Chuck Wichgers (Republican)

Became Law

AnimalCrime and criminals -- FelonyFire departmentLegislature -- Criminal PenaltiesJoint Review Committee onPolice

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Tougher penalties for harming police or fire animals

The law increases penalties for harming animals used by police or fire departments. Any violation of the law protecting these animals can bring a Class B forfeiture. If you intentionally or negligently violate the law, knowing the animal serves the agency, and no injury or death results, it is a Class A misdemeanor. If you intentionally or negligently cause injury to such an animal, knowing it serves the agency, it is a felony. If the animal dies, it is a higher felony. Felony penalties in these classes can include up to $10,000 and 6 years in prison (Class H) or up to $25,000 and 10 years (Class G), or both, as set by law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Deb Andraca

    Democratic • House

  • David Armstrong

    Republican • House

  • Brent Jacobson

    Republican • House

  • Elijah Behnke

    Republican • House

  • Lindee Brill

    Republican • House

  • Calvin Callahan

    Republican • House

  • Barbara Dittrich

    Republican • House

  • Bob Donovan

    Republican • House

  • Joy Goeben

    Republican • House

  • Rick Gundrum

    Republican • House

  • Dean Kaufert

    Republican • House

  • Joel Kitchens

    Republican • House

  • Rob Kreibich

    Republican • House

  • Dave Maxey

    Republican • House

  • Vincent Miresse

    Democratic • House

  • Amanda Nedweski

    Republican • House

  • Jerry O'Connor

    Republican • House

  • William Penterman

    Republican • House

  • Jim Piwowarczyk

    Republican • House

  • Christine Sinicki

    Democratic • House

  • David Steffen

    Republican • House

  • Paul Tittl

    Republican • House

  • Chuck Wichgers

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Jill Billings

    Democratic • House

  • Brienne Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Tim Carpenter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Steve Doyle

    Democratic • House

  • Jodi Emerson

    Democratic • House

  • Joan Fitzgerald

    Democratic • House

  • Jodi Habush Sinykin

    Democratic • Senate

  • LaTonya Johnson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Howard Marklein

    Republican • Senate

  • Maureen McCarville

    Democratic • House

  • Steve Nass

    Republican • Senate

  • Van Wanggaard

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Representative Emerson added as a coauthor

    3/19/2026House
  2. Representative Billings added as a coauthor

    3/10/2026House
  3. Representative Brown added as a coauthor

    3/6/2026House
  4. Representative Doyle added as a coauthor

    1/23/2026House
  5. Published 8-9-2025

    8/11/2025House
  6. Report approved by the Governor on 8-8-2025. 2025 Wisconsin Act 28

    8/11/2025House
  7. Presented to the Governor on 8-7-2025

    8/7/2025House
  8. Report correctly enrolled on 6-19-2025

    6/19/2025House
  9. Received from Senate concurred in

    6/19/2025House
  10. Ordered immediately messaged

    6/18/2025Senate
  11. Read a third time and concurred in

    6/18/2025Senate
  12. Rules suspended to give bill its third reading

    6/18/2025Senate
  13. Ordered to a third reading

    6/18/2025Senate
  14. Read a second time

    6/18/2025Senate
  15. Senators Ratcliff and Keyeski added as cosponsors

    6/18/2025Senate
  16. Placed on calendar 6-18-2025 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

    6/17/2025Senate
  17. Available for scheduling

    6/5/2025Senate
  18. Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 7, Noes 1

    6/5/2025Senate
  19. Executive action taken

    6/4/2025Senate
  20. Senator Habush Sinykin added as a cosponsor

    5/7/2025Senate
  21. Public hearing held

    4/1/2025Senate
  22. Read first time and referred to committee on Judiciary and Public Safety

    3/14/2025Senate
  23. Received from Assembly

    3/13/2025Senate
  24. Ordered immediately messaged

    3/13/2025House
  25. Read a third time and passed

    3/13/2025House

Bill Text

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