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; or 2. 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; or 2. Immediate action is necessary. (2) INAPPLICABLE TO OFFICERS, VETERINARIANS, AND PERSONS KILLING THEIR OWN DOG. This section does not apply to an
Exemption of certain dogs. Listing. Collection. Dog licenses and collar tags. License fees paid to county treasurer. Dog license fund; how disposed of and accounted for. Dog licensing in populous counties. Claims for damage by dogs to domestic animals including ranch mink. Actions against owners. Humane use of dogs for scientific or educational purposes. Penalty.
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 775 (1975); 1975 c. 218; 1979 c. 289; 1981 c. 285; 1983 a. 451; 1987 a. 332 s. 64; 1997 a. 192, 248; 1999 a. 32; 2005 a. 162. Within the meaning of the 4th amendment, domestic animals are effects and the killing of a companion dog constitutes a seizure, which is constitutional only if reasonable. Viilo v. Eyre, 547 F.3d 707 (2008).