In this article, unless the context of subject matter otherwise
requires, the terms used shall be defined as follows:
ANIMAL
Mammals, reptiles and birds.
AT LARGE
To be off the premises of the owner and not under the control
of some person either by leash or otherwise, but a dog or cat within
an automobile of its owner, or in an automobile of any other person
with the consent of the owner of said dog or cat, shall be deemed
to be upon the owner's premises.
CAT
Any feline, regardless of age or sex.
CRUEL
Causing unnecessary and excessive pain or suffering or unjustifiable
injury or death.
DOG
Any canine, regardless of age or sex.
FARM ANIMAL
Any warm-blooded animal normally raised on farms in the United
States and used for food or fiber.
HUMANE OFFICER
A person certified by the State of Wisconsin and appointed
by the Iowa County Sheriff pursuant to Chapter 173 of Wisconsin Statutes,
to enforce county ordinances and state statutes as they pertain to
animal control and welfare.
KENNEL
Any establishment wherein dogs are kept for the purpose of
boarding, breeding, sale or sporting purposes.
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Has that meaning as appears in Wis. Stats. § 967.02(5),
and includes a humane officer under Wis. Stats. Ch. 173.
NEUTERED
As used herein as describing a dog or cat, shall mean a dog
or cat having nonfunctional reproductive organs.
OWNER
Any person owning, harboring or keeping a dog or cat and
the occupant of any premises on which a dog or cat remains or to which
it customarily returns daily for a period of 10 days; such person
is presumed to be harboring or keeping the dog or cat within the meaning
of this article.
PET
An animal kept and treated as a pet.
VICIOUS ANIMALS
A.
Any animal that, when unprovoked, inflicts bites or that injures,
kills or attacks a human being or domestic animal on either public
or private property.
B.
Notwithstanding the definition of "vicious animal" as stated
above:
(1)
No animal may be declared vicious if death, injury or damage
is sustained by a person who, at the time of such was sustained, was
committing a trespass of the land or criminal trespass of the dwelling
upon premises occupied by the owner of the animal, or was teasing,
tormenting, abusing or assaulting the animal or was committing or
attempting to commit a crime or violating or attempting to violate
an ordinance which protects persons or property.
(2)
No animal may be declared vicious if the animal was protecting
or defending a human being within immediate vicinity of the animal
from an unjustified attack or assault.
(3)
No animal may be declared vicious for acts committed by said
animal while being utilized by a law enforcement agency for law enforcement
purposes while under the control and direction of a law enforcement
officer.
The Village Clerk-Treasurer shall assess and collect a late
fee of $5 from every owner of a dog five months of age or over 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 age. Said
late fee shall be charged in addition to the required license fee.
Every person, including the owner or person harboring or keeping
a dog or cat who knows that such dog or cat has bitten any person,
shall immediately report such fact to the Iowa County Humane Society
and shall keep such dog or cat confined for not less than 10 days
or for such period of time as the Iowa County Humane Society shall
direct. The owner or keeper of any such dog or cat shall surrender
the dog or cat to a law enforcement or humane officer upon demand
for examination.
No person shall open any door or gate of any private premises
for the purpose of setting any dog or other animal at large.
It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to keep or harbor
any dog which habitually barks, howls or yelps or any cat which habitually
cries or howls 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
dogs and cats are hereby declared to be a public nuisance. A dog or
cat is considered to be in violation of this section when two formal,
written complaints are filed with the Village Clerk-Treasurer within
a four-week period.
While a female companion animal is in estrus (heat), she shall
be isolated and protected from interaction with intact male companion
animals of the same species unless breeding is intended.