[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Pacific 9-18-2012 by Ord. No.
2012-34. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
Authority; adoption of statutory provisions. It is declared to be
in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare that keeping
animals within the Town be regulated in order to prevent the animals
from becoming a public nuisance, injuring people and property, and
spreading disease. This chapter is enacted pursuant to town powers.
Chapters 172, 173 and 174, Wis. Stats., are adopted and made a part
of this chapter as if fully set forth herein. This chapter repeals
and replaces any previously adopted Town ordinance covering those
matters that are provided for under this chapter.
B.
Animals running at large. It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any animal to permit the animal to run at large anyplace within the Town unless accompanied by, and under the control of, the owner or keeper of said animal. This subsection shall not prohibit animals running at large upon premises owned or occupied by the owner or keeper of the animal. Penalties for the violation of this subsection shall be provided by § 130-5 of this chapter. Any dog running at large contrary to this chapter shall be subject to capture, restraint and impoundment by any representative of the Columbia County Humane Society and/or by any enforcement official authorized by the Town.
C.
Vicious animals. It shall be unlawful for the owner, keeper or licensee of any animal that is vicious to run at large off a premises owned or occupied by the owner, keeper or licensee of the animal. A written report that an animal has bitten, scratched, attacked or injured any person while running at large off the premises owned by or occupied by the owner, keeper or licensee within the previous year shall constitute a prima facie showing that such animal is vicious. A domestic animal that has wounded or worried any horses, cattle, sheep, lambs or other animals while running at large off the premises owned by or occupied by the owner, keeper or licensee of the animal is a public nuisance and may be proceeded against. A judgment that the nuisance be abated may include a provision that the animal be destroyed by a public officer in a humane manner. Penalties for the violation of this subsection shall be as provided by § 130-5 of this chapter.
It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly keep or harbor any animal which habitually barks, howls or yelps to the great discomfort of the peace and quiet of the neighborhood or in such a manner as to materially disturb or annoy persons in the neighborhood who are of ordinary sensibilities. Such animals are declared to be a public nuisance. Violation of this section shall be deemed to occur when two formal written complaints are filed with the Town Clerk within a four-week period. Penalties shall be as provided in § 130-5 of this chapter.
Every owner of a dog more than five months of age on January
1 of any year must pay the dog license tax and obtain a license.
A.
License year. The license year commences on January 1 and ends the
following December 31.
B.
License tax. A license fee shall be established by a resolution to
be adopted by the Town Board.
C.
Late fees. If the owner fails to obtain a license prior to April
1 of each year or within 30 days of acquiring ownership of a licensable
dog, a late fee shall be charged. The collecting official shall collect
the late fee established by resolution.
D.
Rabies shots required. No dog license shall be issued unless the
dog has received a rabies vaccination as required by law and the owner
has provided the Town with adequate proof thereof.
The Town may enter into an agreement with a person, organization
or corporation to provide for the impoundment of stray animals and/or
animals running at large, confinement of certain animals, and disposition
of impounded animals.
Any person who shall violate any portion of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a penalty as provided in § 1-1 of this Code. Each violation and each continued day of violation shall constitute a separate offense. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude the Town from maintaining appropriate action to prevent or remove violations of any provision of this chapter.
