Definitions. In this chapter, unless the context or subject
matter otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
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.
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Has that meaning as appears in § 967.02(5), Wis.
Stats., and includes a humane officer under § 173.03, Wis.
Stats., but does not include a conservation warden appointed under
§ 23.10, Wis. Stats.
NEUTERED
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 section.
PET
An animal kept and treated as a pet.
The Town 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 dog or if the owner
failed to obtain a license on or before the dog reached licensable
age. Said late fee shall be charged in addition to the required license
fee.
Animal control agency. The Town of Vinland may contract with
or enter into an agreement with such person, persons, organization
or corporation to provide for the operation of an animal shelter,
impoundment of stray animals, and confinement of certain animals,
disposition of impounded animals and for assisting in the administration
of rabies vaccination programs. The Town of Vinland does hereby delegate
any such animal control agency the authority to act pursuant to the
provisions of this section.
A. Impounding of animals. In addition to any penalty provided for a
violation of this chapter, an animal may be impounded. Any law enforcement
officer, Town official, humane or animal control officer may impound
an animal.
(1) The
officer shall notify the owner, personally or through the U.S. Mail,
if such owner be known to the officer or can be ascertained with reasonable
effort, but if such owner be unknown or unascertainable, the officer
shall post written notice in three public places in the Town, giving
a description of the animal, stating where it is impounded and the
conditions for its release, after the officer has taken such animal
into his/her possession.
(2) If
within seven days after such notice the owner does not claim such
animal, the officer may dispose of the animal in a proper and humane
manner; provided that, if an animal before being impounded has bitten
a person, the animal shall be retained in the animal shelter for 14
days for observation purposes. Within such times, the owner may reclaim
the animal upon payment of impoundment fees.
(3) No
animal shall be released from the pound without being properly licensed
if so required by state law or Town ordinance.
B. Sale of impounded animals. If the owner doesn't reclaim the animal
within seven days, the Animal Warden may sell the animal to any willing
buyer.
C. Town not liable. The Town and/or its animal control agency shall
not be liable for the death of any animal which has been impounded
or disposed of pursuant to this section.
No dog or cat shall be permitted in any Town cemetery, park
or beach. Every dog specifically trained to lead blind or hearing
impaired persons shall be exempt from this section.
Every 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 a law enforcement, humane or animal control officer
and shall keep such dog or cat confined for not less than 14 days
or for such period of time as a law enforcement, humane or animal
control officer 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 or examination.
It shall be unlawful for any person owning or possessing an
animal, dog or cat to permit such animal, dog or cat to go upon any
parkway or private lands or premises without the permission of the
owner of such premises and break, bruise, tear up, crush or injure
any lawn, flower bed, plant, shrub, tree or garden in any manner whatsoever,
or to defecate thereon.
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 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.
Acts of cruelty prohibited. No person, except as law enforcement,
health or humane officer in the pursuit of his duties, shall within
the Town commit an act of cruelty to any animal or bird or disturb
any bird's nest or bird's eggs.
The owner, keeper, walker or person in charge of any dog, cat
or other animal shall not permit solid fecal matter of such animal
to deposit on any street, alley or other public or private property,
unless such matter is immediately removed therefrom by said owner
or person in charge. This section shall not apply to a person who
is visually or physically handicapped.