A. Purpose and General Provisions. The purpose of this Section is to preserve and promote the public health of the residents. Pursuant to Section 254.51, Wis. Stats., the Health Department shall establish measures for the prevention, surveillance and control of human disease that is associated with animal-borne disease transmission.
B. Authority. This Section is adopted pursuant to the authority granted by Chapters 250, 251, and 254 of the Wisconsin Statutes. The law enforcement officer, Humane Officer, Health Officer or their designees shall have the power to enforce the regulations of this Section, including by the issuance of one or more citations, as warranted.
C. Adoption of Wisconsin State Statute. In addition to the provisions of this Section and pursuant to the authority granted by Chapters 250, 251 and 254 of the Wisconsin Statutes, the Municipality adopts Section 95.21, Wis. Stats., which is incorporated by reference as though set forth herein. To the extent any provision conflicts with another provision in this Section, the more restrictive provision applies.
D. Definitions. The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this Section, unless a different meaning is plainly intended:
Bite. To seize with teeth or jaws, so as to enter, wound, or pierce the skin.
Cat. Any member of the species felis catus (the domestic cat).
Code Officer. The Municipality’s law enforcement officer, Humane Officer, Health Officer or their designees.
Dog. Any member of the species canis familiaris (the domestic dog).
Ferret. Any member of the species mustela putorius (the domestic ferret).
E. Rabies Vaccination Required for Dogs. The owner of a Dog shall have the animal vaccinated against rabies. An owner who fails to obtain a rabies vaccination for a Dog shall be subject to a forfeiture of not less than $50 and not more than $100, plus the costs of prosecution.
F. Duty to Report Bite. Any person having knowledge or reason to believe that any Dog, Cat or Ferret has bitten a person, shall immediately report, so far as is known, the name and address of the owner of the animal and circumstances of such Bite. Such report shall be made to the Village/Town Police Department or Sheriff's Department.
G. Quarantine. Any Dog, Cat or Ferret within the Municipality which is believed to have bitten a person, to have been infected with rabies, or to have been in contact with a rabid animal shall be subject to the quarantine requirements and procedures set forth in Sec. 95.21, Wis. Stats. If the Code Official, Chief of Police, the Health Officer, or the Humane Officer determines that a Dog, Cat, Ferret or other domestically-owned animal found in the Municipality has rabies, the Health Officer may order a district quarantine, as provided by § 95.21(3).
H. Noncompliance with Quarantine Order. If after a Dog, Cat or Ferret Bites a person, the animal’s owner fails to quarantine the animal and/or fails to have the animal examined by a licensed veterinarian, the animal may be seized by the Code Official, Health Officer, Police Officer, Deputy Sheriff, Humane Officer or their designees and held at a designated facility until the quarantine time expires. The owner or custodian of the animal shall pay all applicable fees associated with the quarantine, veterinarian's examinations, vaccination and license prior to releasing the animal from the quarantine facility.
I. Appeal. Any person affected by any notice or order which has been issued in connection with the enforcement of any of the provisions of this Section may request in writing a review by the Health Officer or other Code Official issuing such notice or order. Such request shall be submitted before the date for the violation is to be corrected. Subsequent appeal shall be to the Village/Town Board pursuant to the applicable ordinance or Chapter 68 of the Wisconsin Statutes in the absence of an administrative review ordinance.
J. Penalties. Except as otherwise provided herein, any person who violates any provision of this Section shall upon conviction be subjected to a forfeiture of not less than $300.00 or more than $1000.00 for each violation, and in addition, shall pay the costs and expenses of prosecution. Each day such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense.”