No person owning or responsible for confining
or impounding any animal may fail to provide the animal with proper
shelter as prescribed in this section. In the case of farm animals,
nothing in this section shall be construed as imposing shelter requirements
or standards more stringent than normally accepted husbandry practices
in the particular county where the animal or shelter is located.
A. Indoor standards. Minimum indoor standards of shelter
shall include:
(1) Ambient temperatures. The ambient temperature shall
be compatible with the health of the animal.
(2) Ventilation. Indoor housing facilities shall be adequately
ventilated by natural or mechanical means to provide for the health
of the animals at all times.
B. Outdoor standards. Minimum outdoor standards of shelter
shall include:
(1) Shelter from sunlight. For all animals tied or confined
unattended outdoors during the months of April through October sufficient
shade by natural or artificial means shall be provided to protect
animals from direct sunlight.
(2) Shelter from inclement weather.
(a)
Animals generally. Natural or artificial shelter
appropriate to the local climatic conditions for the species concerned
shall be provided as necessary for the health of the animal.
(b)
Dogs. If a dog is tied or confined unattended
outdoors or in an unheated enclosure, a shelter of suitable size to
accommodate the dog shall be provided. The minimum specifications
for such shelter shall be as follows:
[1]
The shelter must be a moisture-proof, weather-tight
doghouse maintained in good repair.
[2]
The shelter must be constructed and maintained
so as to provide sufficient space to allow the dog to turn around
freely, allow the dog to easily sit, stand and lie in a normal position,
keep the dog clean, dry and comfortable, and maintain the dog's body
heat.
[3]
The shelter must be made of durable materials,
including but not limited to wood or molded plastic.
[4]
The shelter must have an entrance covered by
a self-closing, swinging door or covering or an L-shaped entrance
to prevent the wind and elements from blowing directly into the house.
[5]
The shelter must have clean bedding to provide
insulation and protection against cold and dampness and promote the
retention of body heat. Acceptable bedding shall include, but not
be limited to, blankets, hay, straw, or cedar shavings.
[6]
The shelter site must have suitable drainage
which rapidly eliminates excess water.
(3) Space standards. Minimum space requirements for both
indoor and outdoor enclosures shall include:
(a)
Structural strength. The housing facilities
shall be structurally sound and maintained in good repair to protect
the animals from injury and to contain the animals.
(b)
Space requirement. Enclosures shall be construed
and maintained so as to provide sufficient space to allow each animal
adequate freedom of movement. Inadequate space may be indicated by
evidence of debility, stress or abnormal behavior patterns.
(c) Limitation on number. No person or premises shall keep more than
three licensed dogs and three licensed cats over five months of age
on any premises within the City. This provision limiting the number
of dogs and cats shall not apply to any exemption under Ch. 174, Wis.
Stats. for education or to assist any blind, deaf, or mobility-impaired
person. This subsection shall not apply retroactively and shall take
effect as of midnight on April 1, 2011, after publication and passage
as required by law.
[Added 2-15-2011 by Ord. No. 3-11]
(4) Sanitation standards. All pens, yards, structures
or areas where animals are kept shall be maintained in a nuisance-free
manner. Droppings and manure shall be removed regularly and disposed
of properly so not to attract insects or rodents, become unsightly
or cause objectionable odors.
(5) Tying or tethering dogs. A dog or puppy may be restrained
by a fix-point chain or tether only under the following conditions:
(a)
Any tethering system employed shall not allow
the dog or puppy to leave the owner's property.
(b)
No chain or tether shall weigh more than 1/8
of the dog's or puppy's body weight.
(c)
Any chain or tether shall be at least 10 feet
in length and have swivels on both ends.
(d)
Any chain or tether must be attached to a properly
fitting collar or harness worn by the animal. A choker collar shall
not be used for dogs restrained and it must be a fix-point chain or
tether. (State law reference: §§ 951.13 and 951.14,
Wis. Stats.)