Chapter 173 — ANIMALS; HUMANE OFFICERS
19 sections in this chapter.
Wis. Stat. § 173.01 Definitions
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173.01 Definitions. In this chapter: (1) “Department” means the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection. (2) “Law enforcement officer” has the meaning given in s. 165.85 (2) (c). (3) “Political subdivision” means a city, village, town or county. History: 1997 a. …
Wis. Stat. § 173.03 Appointment of humane officer
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173.03 Appointment of humane officer. (1) APPOINTMENT. The governing body of any political subdivision may appoint one or more humane officers. The governing body of a political subdivision shall report all appointments and terminations of appointments of humane officers to the d…
Wis. Stat. § 173.05 Certification required
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173.05 Certification required. (1) (a) Any person appointed as a humane officer under s. 173.03 on or after December 1, 1999, shall, before appointment or by the applicable deadline established under s. 173.27 (1) (b), complete a course of training approved by the department, exc…
Wis. Stat. § 173.07 Powers and duties of humane officers
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173.07 Powers and duties of humane officers. (1) ENFORCEMENT. A humane officer shall enforce ss. 95.21 and 944.18, this chapter, chs. 174 and 951 and ordinances relating to animals enacted by political subdivisions in which the humane officer has jurisdiction under s. 173.03 (3).…
Wis. Stat. § 173.09 Investigations
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173.09 Investigations. In the course of investigation of suspected violations of statutes or ordinances, a humane officer may enter any building, vehicle, or place where animals may be present for the purpose of inspection, examination of animals, or the gathering of evidence. If…
Wis. Stat. § 173.10 Investigation of cruelty complaints
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173.10 Investigation of cruelty complaints. A person may apply for a search warrant under s. 968.12 if there is reason to believe that a violation of s. 944.18 or ch. 951 has taken place or is taking place. If the court is satisfied that probable cause exists, it shall issue a se…
Wis. Stat. § 173.11 Abatement of violations
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173.11 Abatement of violations. (1) ISSUANCE OF ORDER. If a humane officer or law enforcement officer after investigation has reasonable grounds to believe that a violation of a statute or ordinance is occurring and the violation is causing or has the potential to cause injury to…
Wis. Stat. § 173.12 Animal fighting
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173.12 Animal fighting. Any veterinarian who has reason to believe that an animal has been in a fight in violation of s. 951.08 shall report the matter to the local humane officer or to a local law enforcement agency. The report shall be in writing and shall include a description…
Wis. Stat. § 173.13 Taking custody of animals
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173.13 Taking custody of animals. (1) INTAKE. (a) A humane officer, on behalf of a political subdivision in which the humane officer has jurisdiction under s. 173.03 (3), or a law enforcement officer, on behalf of a political subdivision, may take custody of an animal if the huma…
Wis. Stat. § 173.15 Provision of care, treatment or disposal services
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173.15 Provision of care, treatment or disposal services. (1) PROVIDING SERVICES. A political subdivision may provide for the care, treatment or disposal of animals taken into custody by a humane officer or law enforcement officer. A political subdivision may provide these servic…
Wis. Stat. § 173.17 Records
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173.17 Records. A humane officer or law enforcement officer taking custody of an animal on behalf of a political subdivision shall maintain, or require any person to whom the animal is delivered under a contract under s. 173.15 (1) to maintain, as appropriate, records for each an…
Wis. Stat. § 173.19 Animals considered unclaimed
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173.19 Animals considered unclaimed. (1) Except as provided in sub. (1m), a political subdivision or person contracting under s. 173.15 (1) may treat any animal taken into custody under s. 173.13 (1) (a) 1. as an unclaimed animal subject to s.
Wis. Stat. § 173.21 Holding animals for cause
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173.21 Holding animals for cause. (1) GROUNDS. A political subdivision may withhold, or direct a person contracting under s. 173.15 (1) to withhold, an animal in custody from an owner who makes an otherwise adequate claim for the animal under s. 173.23 (1) on any of the following…
Wis. Stat. § 173.22 Review of seizure or withholding
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173.22 Review of seizure or withholding. (1) PETITION. A person claiming that an animal that he or she owns was improperly taken into custody under s. 173.13 (1) (a) 3., 4., 5., or 6. or is wrongfully withheld under s. 173.21 (1) (b) or (d) may seek return of the animal by petiti…
Wis. Stat. § 173.23 Disposition of animals
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173.23 (1m) if, within 4 days after custody is taken of the animal, it is not claimed by and returned to its owner under s. 173.23 (1). (1m) Notwithstanding sub. (1), a political subdivision or person contracting under s. 173.15 (1) may not euthanize the animal
Wis. Stat. § 173.24 Reimbursement for expenses
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173.24 Reimbursement for expenses. (1) A court shall assess the expenses under this section, minus any amounts paid under s. 173.22 (4) (f), in any case in which there has been a search authorized under s. 173.10 or in which an animal has been seized because it is alleged that th…
Wis. Stat. § 173.25 Immunity for euthanizing animals
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173.25 Immunity for euthanizing animals. A political subdivision, a person contracting under s. 173.15 (1), a humane officer or a law enforcement officer who has reasonable grounds to believe that s. 173.23 (1m) (c), (4) or (5) or a court order issued under s. 173.23 (3) authoriz…
Wis. Stat. § 173.27 Duties of the department
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173.27 Duties of the department. The department shall do all of the following: (1) RULES. (a) Adopt, by rule, standards for the training and certification of humane officers to ensure that humane officers are at least minimally qualified to perform the duties of a humane officer.…
Wis. Stat. § 173.41 Regulation of persons who sell dogs or operate animal shelters
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173.41 Regulation of persons who sell dogs or operate animal shelters. (1) DEFINITIONS. In this section: (a) “Animal control facility” means a facility for the care of animals operated under a contract with a political subdivision under s. 173.15 (1). (b) “Animal shelter” means a…