[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!
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.
