As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ANIMAL
Any mammal (excluding humans), bird, reptile, amphibian,
mollusk, or arthropod or any egg of any bird, reptile, amphibian,
mollusk or arthropod, or fish.
ANIMAL WITH VICIOUS OR DANGEROUS PROPENSITIES
A.
Any animal that when unprovoked bites, injures, kills, or attacks
a human being or domestic animal on either public or private property.
B.
The following are exceptions to the definition of a vicious
animal:
(1)
No animal may be declared vicious if death, injury or damage
is sustained by a person who, at the time such was sustained, was
committing a trespass of the dwelling upon the 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 person or property.
(2)
No animal may be declared vicious if death, injury, or damage
was sustained by a domestic animal which, at the time such was sustained,
was teasing, tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the animal.
(3)
No animal may be declared vicious if the animal was protecting
or defending a human being within the immediate vicinity of the animal
from an unjustified attack or assault.
(4)
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.
DOMESTIC ANIMAL
Any species that has been selectively bred for hundreds of
generations to accept humans or live with humans so as to live and
breed in a tame condition, depend on humankind for survival, and are
commonly considered to be domesticated in the United States. Domestic
animals include:
[Amended 4-16-2019 by Ord. No. 7-2019]
E.
Farm-raised game birds not released to the wild;
H.
Farm-raised fish not released to the waters of the state; and
I.
Foxes, fitch, nutria, marten, fisher, mink, chinchilla, rabbit
or caracul that are born, bred, and raised in captivity and are not
endangered or threatened species.
HARMFUL WILD ANIMAL
Any other animal designated as a harmful wild animal under
Wisconsin Statutes or the Wisconsin Administrative Code, including
but not limited to:
A.
Members of the species felis concolor (commonly known as "cougars");
B.
Members of the family ursidae (commonly known as "bears");
C.
Wild and feral swine (as defined in § NR 16.11(3),
Wis. Adm. Code);
D.
Anatidae (the species anserinae Cygnus, commonly known as "mute
swans");
E.
Canidae, hybrids of the species Canis lupus, C. Lycaon, of C.
rufus, (commonly known as "wolves") and the species Canis familiaris,
domestic dogs, and subsequent generations from such matings. These
animals are commonly called wolf-dog hybrids or wolf dogs.
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, firm, joint stock company, corporation,
trust, estate, or other legal entity.
[Added 4-16-2019 by Ord.
No. 7-2019]
WILD ANIMAL
Any animal of a wild nature that is normally found in the
wild and that is not a domestic animal.
This article is enacted under the authority contained in § 169.43,
Wis. Stats.
Any person violating any provisions of this article shall, upon
conviction thereof, forfeit not less than $50 nor more than $1,000
together with all court costs. If any violation be continuing, each
day's violation shall be deemed a separate violation.