[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Addison
as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A band, strip or chain placed around the neck of a dog.
The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Any establishment wherein or whereon dogs are kept for the
purpose of breeding, sale or sporting purposes.
Any horse, bovine, sheep, goat, pig, domestic rabbit or domestic
fowl, including game fowl raised in captivity.
Has the meaning designated under § 95.21(1)(b),
Wis. Stats.
Includes any person who owns, harbors or keeps a dog.
The owner of a dog more than five months of age on January 1
of any year or five months of age within a license year shall annually,
or on or before the date the dog becomes five months of age, pay the
dog license tax and obtain a license.
The minimum dog license fee shall be as provided in the Town
Fee Schedule.[1] Evidence that a dog is neutered or spayed shall be required.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Fee Schedule is on file in the Town Clerk's
office.
The collecting official shall assess and collect a late fee
as set by the Town Board from every owner of a dog five months of
age or over,[1] if the owner failed to obtain a license prior to April
1 of each year or within 30 days of acquiring ownership of a licensable
dog or if the owner failed to obtain a license on or before the dog
reached licensable age.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Fee Schedule is on file in the Town Clerk's
office.
A.Â
Liability for injury.
(1)Â
Without notice. The owner of a dog is liable for the full amount
of damages caused by the dog injuring or causing injury to a person,
livestock or property.
(2)Â
After notice. The owner of a dog is liable for two times the full
amount of damages caused by the dog injuring or causing injury to
a person, livestock or property if the owner was notified or knew
that the dog previously injured or caused injury to a person, livestock
or property.
B.Â
Penalties imposed on owner of dog causing damage.
(1)Â
Without notice. The owner of a dog shall forfeit not less than $50
nor more than $500 if the dog injures or causes injury to a person,
livestock, property, deer, game birds or the nests or eggs of game
birds.
(2)Â
After notice. The owner of a dog shall forfeit not less than $200
nor more than $1,000 if the dog injures or causes injury to a person,
livestock, property, deer, game birds or the eggs or nests of game
birds if the owner was notified or knew the dog previously injured
or caused injury to any of the same.
(3)Â
Penalties in addition to liability for damages. The penalties in
this subsection are in addition to any other liability imposed on
the owner of a dog.
A.Â
Dog running at large. A dog is considered to be running at large
if it is off the premises of its owner and not under the control of
the owner or some other person.
B.Â
Untagged dog. A dog is considered to be untagged if a valid license
is not attached to a collar which is kept on the dog whenever the
dog is outdoors unless the dog is securely confined in a fenced area.
C.Â
Subject to impoundment. Any officer may and a humane officer shall
attempt to capture and restrain any dog running at large and any untagged
dog. Any officer as defined in this article shall have the jurisdiction
to issue citations to dog owners for untagged dogs and/or dogs running
at large. All costs of impoundment shall be recovered from the owner.
D.Â
Penalties. If the owner of a dog negligently or otherwise permits
the dog to run at large or be untagged, the owner shall forfeit $75
for the first offense and $150 for subsequent offenses.
A.Â
Requirement for vaccination. The owner of a dog shall have the dog
vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian within 30 days after the
dog reaches five 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 five months, 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 or another state. The owner of a dog shall have the dog
revaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian before the date that
the immunization expires as stated on the certificate of vaccination
or, if no date is specified, within three years after the previous
vaccination.
B.Â
Tag to be attached. The owner shall attach the rabies vaccination
tag or a substitute tag to a collar, which shall be kept on the dog
at all times.
C.Â
Cost. The owner shall pay the cost of the rabies vaccination and
the cost associated with the issuance of a certificate of rabies vaccination
and the delivery of a rabies vaccination tag.
D.Â
Penalties. An owner who fails to have a dog vaccinated against rabies
may be required to forfeit not less than $50 nor more than $100.
The provisions of Chs. 95 and 174, Wis. Stats., so far as applicable,
are adopted by reference and made part of this Code.
It is unlawful in the Town of Addison for any person to cause
or permit an animal to be on property, public or private, not owned
or possessed by such person, unless such person has in his/her possession
an appropriate device for scooping excrement and an appropriate depository
for the transmission of the excrement to a receptacle located upon
property owned or in the possession of such person. Persons who forget
to carry such receptacle shall in a reasonable amount of time be allowed
to retrieve said receptacle, return and remove the excrement. This
section shall not apply to a person who is visually or physically
handicapped. (Note: Reasonable time periods will vary upon circumstance.)
In addition to the revocation or suspension of any license issued under the provisions of this article, any person found to be in violation of any provision of this article, except as otherwise provided, shall be subject to a penalty as provided in § 1-1 of this Code.