As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
AT LARGE
To be off the premises of the owner and not under the control
of some person either by leash or otherwise restrained or confined
to a vehicle. "At large" refers to all streets, alleys, sidewalks,
or other public or private property which may be about the owner's
premises.
DOMESTICATED ANIMAL
An animal that does not possess a wild nature, and such animal
that has been developed by humans from a naturally occurring species
through long-term selective breeding of a captive population to produce
a distinct, new form exhibiting specific physiological, morphological
and behavioral characteristics which are desirable or useful to humans,
and which set it apart from its wild ancestor. A "domesticated animal"
shall also mean an animal species that exists exclusively or primarily
in association with humans and is generally dependent on humans for
its survival, and that exhibits certain "domestic" behavioral characteristics,
among which is a lack of inherent fear of humans, a lack of aggression,
a docile nature, sociability, a tendency to be comfortable in the
human environment and a desire for human contact.
EXOTIC ANIMALS
Include, but are not limited to, poisonous snakes, constricting
snakes, tarantulas, poisonous spiders and insects, nonhuman primates,
rats, raccoons, skunks, wolves, wolf/dog mixed breeds, bats, squirrels,
fox, leopards, panthers, tigers, lions, lynx, other warm-blooded animals
which normally and primarily are found in the wild state, and any
member of the crocodilian family, including, but not limited to, alligators,
crocodiles, caimans and gavials. For purposes of this section, a bird,
simply because it is commonly referred to as being an "exotic" type
of bird, does not automatically classify such bird as an exotic animal.
FUR-BEARING ANIMALS
Include, but are not limited to, otter, beaver, mink, muskrat,
marten, fisher, skunk, raccoon, fox, weasel, opossum, badger, wolf,
coyote, wildcat and lynx.
GAME ANIMALS
Include, but are not limited to, deer, moose, elk, bear,
wild rabbits, squirrels, fox and raccoon.
GAME BIRDS
Include, but are not limited to, wild geese, brant, wild
ducks, wild swan, rails, coots, gallinules, jacksnipe, woodcock, plovers,
sandpipers, ruffed grouse (partridge), pinnated grouse (prairie chicken),
sharp-tailed grouse, pheasants, Hungarian partridge, Chukar partridge,
bobwhite, quail, California quail and wild turkey.
GAME FISH
Include all varieties of fish except rough fish and minnows
native to the waters of the state.
LIVESTOCK
Includes, but is not limited to, chickens, domestic ducks,
domestic geese, turkeys, peacocks, pigeons, ostriches, emus, goats,
pigs, potbelly pigs, swine, mules, donkeys, burros, horses, ponies,
cattle, sheep, buffalo, mink and any other domesticated farm animal,
excluding dogs and cats.
NONGAME SPECIES
Any species of wild animal not classified as a game fish,
game animal, game bird or fur-bearing animal.
OWNER
A person who owns, harbors, keeps or controls an animal.
POSSESS
To own, restrain, keep in captivity or transport an animal.
PROTECTED WILD ANIMALS
Includes, cougar, badger, moose, elk, wolverine, flying squirrel,
white deer, woodchuck, prairie chicken, Canada spruce grouse (spruce
hen), mourning doves, swans, cranes, bittern, plovers, kingfishers,
cormorants, heron, sandpipers, grebes, eagles, hawks, falcons, owls,
hen pheasants, and any endangered or threatened species listed in
Ch. NR 27, Wis. Admin. Code.
WATERFOWL
Wild geese, brant, wild ducks, rails, coots, gallinules,
jacksnipe, woodcock, plovers, sandpipers and wild swan.
WILD ANIMAL
Any mammal, bird, fish, or other creature of a wild nature
endowed with sensation and the power of voluntary motion. "Wild animal"
also means any undomesticated mammal, bird, or other animal. If a
particular animal has never known the wild, if members of its species
possess a wild nature and typically are found in the wild, such particular
animal shall be deemed to be a wild animal.
The keeping of unlimited numbers of nonprohibited animals as
pets in residential areas may give rise to conditions which present
a threat to human health, safety, and general welfare. If such conditions
are determined to exist, nothing in this chapter shall prevent the
City from seeking any lawful remedy to remove or abate a public nuisance.
The provisions of Ch. 951, Crimes Against Animals, of the Wisconsin
Statutes shall be followed, and any violations of Ch. 951 may be referred
to the Jefferson County District Attorney for prosecution.
Except as otherwise provided herein, any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter shall be subject to a penalty as provided in §
1-19 of this Code. Each violation and each day on which a violation occurs or continues shall constitute a separate offense. This section shall not preclude the City from maintaining any appropriate action to prevent or remove a violation of this chapter.