The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this article,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
All members of the family Canidae except foxes.
Canis latrans.
Canis dingo.
Canis familiaris.
Canis aureus.
Both Canis lupus and Canis niger.
Any cross-breed resulting from the mating of a domesticated
dog and a wolf, coyote, jackal, or dingo or resulting from the mating
of any wolf-dog hybrid and another wolf-dog hybrid or a domesticated
dog.[1]
A wolf-dog hybrid may be kept only in an enclosure that meets
the following minimum requirements:
A.
The enclosure shall be constructed of woven wire, galvanized after
weaving, securely anchored by stainless steel or copper rings. Such
enclosure shall be not less than 500 square feet in extent plus 250
square feet for each additional canine animal kept therein and shall
be the location in which the animal is primarily kept.
B.
The enclosure shall extend to a height of not less than eight feet
and shall be surrounded from ground level to a height of four feet
by one-fourth-inch galvanized mesh screening.
C.
The base and top of the enclosure shall be constructed of securely
anchored wire mesh and extend inward a distance of not less than two
feet at the top of each enclosure at an angle of not less than 45°
and shall be covered by at least four inches of crushed stone at the
base.
D.
The enclosure shall be kept locked with a case hardened lock at all
times when the animal is unattended and the enclosure shall have double
entrance gates or doors so as to prevent an animal from escaping past
an open gate or door.
E.
Any person who was, at the time of the enactment of this article,
the owner of a single wolf-dog hybrid may obtain an exemption from
the requirements of this section by obtaining an inspection by the
Building Inspector. The inspection fee shall be set by the Village
fee schedule. The Inspector shall file a report with the Village Board
as to the adequacy of the enclosure to protect the safety of the public
and provide for the well-being of the animal. The Village Board shall
review the report and if the Village Board is satisfied that the owner
has provided a secure enclosure that is adequate for the protection
of the public and the well-being of the animal, it may issue a written
exemption from the terms of this section. Such exemption shall be
valid for the animal's lifetime; provided, however, that a conviction
of the owner for allowing the animal to run at large in violation
of this article shall void such exemption. In issuing exemptions,
the Village Board shall consider the size and observed behavior of
the animal and any prior convictions of the owner for allowing any
animal to run at large. The Village Board may require modifications
to be made to existing enclosures as a condition of issuing an exemption.[1]
Every person, including the owner of a wolf-dog hybrid, who
knows such animal has bitten any person shall immediately report such
fact to the Washington County Sheriff. Pursuant to § 95.21(4)(b)
and (6), Wis. Stats., the Washington County Sheriff may kill such
animal, taking care to preserve the head, and deliver such animal
to a veterinarian for preparation of the carcass to be sent to the
State Laboratory of Hygiene for testing.
A wolf-dog hybrid may be transported only if confined in a secure,
locked container with no openings not covered with fine mesh screen.
This section does not prohibit the walking of such animal on a leash,
provided that such animal is muzzled at all times.
In order to ensure compliance with the terms of this article,
no person in possession of any registration papers, certificate, advertisement,
or other written evidence by which the blood lines of a canine animal
found within the Village or its ownership might be ascertained may
refuse to produce the same for the inspection of any law enforcement,
conservation, or public health officer or court upon demand.
The provisions of this article shall not apply to doctors of
veterinary medicine in temporary possession of such animals in the
ordinary course of their practices.
No person shall willfully or negligently release or abandon
a wolf-dog hybrid.
All owners, keepers, or harborers of hybrid dogs shall provide
proof to the Village of public liability insurance in a single incident
amount of $50,000 for bodily injury to or death of any person or for
damage to property owned by any person which may result from the ownership,
keeping, or maintenance of vicious dogs or hybrid dogs. The insurance
policy shall provide that no cancellation of the policy will be made
unless a ten-day written notice is first given to the Village. The
owner or custodian of the dog shall produce evidence of the required
insurance upon request of a law enforcement officer. This section
does not apply to dogs kept by law enforcement agencies.
