[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Arbor Vitae as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 9-14-1983 by Ord. No. 3-1983]
A. 
The Town of Arbor Vitae is desirous to enforce and support the State of Wisconsin Dog Laws of 1979 (Chapter 174, Wis. Stats.), and due to the nonconformity to the law of the residents, the Town Board deems it necessary to provide additional clarification to the residents.
B. 
The Board wishes and demands each owner of pets to confine and prevent their pet from running at large and becoming a community nuisance, responsibility and possible potential danger.
C. 
The Town Board does hereby adopt and will enforce the following through the efforts of the Constable and/or Pet Control Officer, and others needed and demanded for said enforcement. This will include the Town Office personnel and animal shelter personnel as designated.
A. 
All dogs must be licensed beginning January 1 of any given year. Any licensing or registration after April 1 of any given year or after 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 constitutes a late penalty of $5 per animal, plus registration, mileage and other costs that may be procured to obtain compliance.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
B. 
All dogs must be registered or licensed when five months of age and proof of rabies vaccination must be submitted. If an animal becomes five months of age after July 1, the yearly fee will be 1/2 of the regular fee of the type (sex) to be licensed. If a licensable dog is obtained or bought it must be registered or licensed in the Town within 30 days of ownership or be subject to violation penalties as listed for nonregistration. Proof of rabies vaccination is mandatory, ALWAYS!
C. 
Registration or licensing fees are:
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
(1) 
Neutered or spayed dogs will be assessed $5 per year.
(2) 
Unneutered or unspayed dogs will be assessed $10 per year. (This fee could be adjusted from year to year.)
A. 
First offense. A $50 fine plus any cost incurred by the Constable and/or Pet Control Officer due to the violation. To include mileage of the processing officer, cost of confinement at the designated pound, also, licensing if not previously acquired.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
B. 
Second offense. A $50 fine per animal with further penalties as stated for first offense. With fines to escalate as here indicated. (Past fine, plus new offense, determines present fine. Calculated per calendar year.)
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
C. 
In the event of further and continuous violations, the Constable and/or Pet Control Officer, at his or her discretion, shall have the authority to register a complaint with the Vilas County District Attorney for possible hearing, prosecution or both before the Judge of Circuit Court, or other legal channels.
The Board is desirous to protect and give the needed attention to injured animals, it hereby deems the Constable and/or Pet Control Officer authority to obtain help from a veterinarian to give necessary medical help to preserve its life and relieve the suffering. This service will be paid and authorized by the Town, in emergencies, and assessed to established owner or owners.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
The Town Board contracts with Northwoods Animal Hospital, Minocqua, representatives or owners to lodge and keep animals that are found running loose, abandoned or for some other reason needs protection and help; the Board does hereby give the pound representatives or owners authority to assess and collect any penalties, fines and costs during any time that the Town Office is not open or available for such collections or assessments. This will be submitted to the Town Office for recording on the working day next or no later than five working days.
[Added 7-10-1985 by Ord. No. 2-1985]
A. 
The owners of pets must control and maintain their pets so as they do not become a nuisance to area residents by running loose or barking; and
B. 
With the establishing of a "Pet Control Officer" position, the Board wishes for the granting of control and authorization to the "Pet Control Officer" to enforce this article.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
Chapter 951 of the Wisconsin Statutes pertains to the abandonment of animals, the manner of compliances and the fines thereby established. The Town will adhere to Ch. 951, Wis. Stats., to the fullest extent of the law.