Town of Addison, WI Animals

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.

§ 145-3 Dog license fee.

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.

§ 145-4 Late fees.

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.

§ 145-5 Owner's liability for damage caused by dog; violations and penalties.

Liability for injury.

(1)

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)

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.

Penalties imposed on owner of dog causing damage.

(1)

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)

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)

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.

§ 145-6 Dogs running at large and untagged dogs; violations and penalties.

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.

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.

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.

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.

§ 145-7 Rabies vaccination required; violations and penalties.

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.

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.

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.

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.

§ 145-8 Adoption of state provisions by reference.

The provisions of Chs. 95 and 174, Wis. Stats., so far as applicable, are adopted by reference and made part of this Code.

§ 145-9 Waste products accumulation (defecation).

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.)

§ 145-10 Violations and penalties.

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.