Town of Fulton, WI Chapter 170 Animals

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Fulton 9-12-1996 as Ch. 7, § 3k of the 1996 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

License, registration and permit procedure — See Ch. 284.

Nuisances — See Ch. 318.

Parks and recreation — See Ch. 329.

Peace and good order — See Ch. 334.

Article I Dogs

§ 170-1 License required. [1]

Every person in the Town of Fulton who owns, harbors or keeps any dog more than five months of age must comply with the provisions of §§ 174.05 through 174.09, Wis. Stats., relating to the listing, licensing and tagging of said dog. Dog license fees shall be as established by the Town Board. The late fee shall be as prescribed by § 174.05(5), Wis. Stats.

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).

§ 170-2 Definitions. [1]

In this article, unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated:

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 within an automobile of its owner or in an automobile of any other person with the consent of the dog's owner shall be deemed to be on the owner's premises.

HABITUALLY

Customarily, by frequent practice or use. However it does not mean entirely or exclusively.[2]

OWNER

Any person owning, harboring, or keeping a dog. The occupant of any premises on which a dog remains or to which it customarily returns daily for a period of 10 days is presumed to be harboring or keeping the dog within the meaning of this article.

RABIES

An acute virus disease of the nervous system of warm-blooded animals usually transmitted by the bite of an animal.

[1] Editor's Note: See also Ch. 1, § 1-6.

[2] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).

§ 170-3 Restrictions on keeping of dogs.

It shall be unlawful for any person within the Town of Fulton to own, harbor or keep any dog which:

A. Habitually pursues any vehicle upon a public street, alley or highway in the Town;

B. Assaults or attacks any person;

C. Is at large within the limits of the Town;

D. Habitually barks or howls to the annoyance of any person or persons;

E. Kills, wounds, or worries any domestic animal;

F. Is known by such person to be infected with rabies or to have been bitten by an animal known to have been infected with rabies.

§ 170-4 Duty of owner in cases of dog bite.

Every owner or person harboring or keeping a dog who knows that such dog has bitten any person shall immediately report such fact to the Health Officer and shall keep such dog confined for not less than 14 days or for such a period of time as the Health Officer shall direct. The owner or keeper of any such dog shall surrender the dog to the Health Officer or any Town law enforcement officer upon command for examination.

§ 170-5 Impounding or killing of dogs. [1]

In addition to any penalty hereinafter provided for a violation of this article, law enforcement/animal control officers may impound any dog and any law officer of the Town may kill any dog which habitually pursues any vehicle upon any street, alley or highway of the Town, habitually barks or howls, kills, wounds or worries any domestic animal or is infected with rabies. Possession of any dog impounded under this section may be obtained by paying a fee as set by the Town Board to the Town Clerk/Treasurer plus an additional fee as set by the Town Board for each twenty-four-hour period or fraction thereof the dog has been impounded. Dogs impounded for a period of seven days may be destroyed by or under the direction of the officer or a pound to whom the dog is delivered.

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).

§ 170-6 Kennel license. [1]

Any person who wishes to operate a kennel in the Town of Fulton must first obtain a kennel license from the Town Board. No such license may be granted to an individual to operate a kennel in a platted area.

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).

§ 170-7 Violations and penalties. [1]

Any person who violates any provision of this article shall be subject to forfeiture as provided in Chapter 1, § 1-4 and Chapter 20, Citations, of this Code. In addition, court costs and costs of prosecution shall be assessed for each such violation.

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).

Article II Wild, Exotic or Vicious Animals

[Added 6-8-2000 (Ch. 7, § 3p of the 1996 Code)]

§ 170-8 Registration required.

Any person who shall keep or permit to be kept any wild, exotic or vicious animals as a pet shall be required to register the same with the Town of Fulton by filing the required registration form with the Town Clerk/Treasurer and pay the required fee. The registration form shall provide sufficient information concerning the description of the animal, address and location where the animal is kept. The Town Clerk/Treasurer shall determine if sufficient information is submitted.

§ 170-9 Definitions.

In this article the following definitions shall apply:

VICIOUS ANIMAL

Any animal, reptile and/or fish that constitutes a physical threat to human beings or other animals.

WILD AND EXOTIC ANIMALS

A. Any poisonous snake, constricting snake, tarantula, live monkey, including all nonhuman primates, raccoon, skunk, wolf, squirrel, fox, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx or other warm-blooded animal which can normally be found in a wild state and any member of the crocodilian family, including but not limited to alligators, crocodiles, caymans and gavials.

B. Guard dogs, ferrets, rabbits and laboratory rats which have been bred in captivity and which have never known the wild shall be excluded from this article.