AB52: Bill Text

LRB-0879/1

RCT:jld:rs

2007 - 2008 LEGISLATURE

2007 Assembly BILL 52

January 30, 2007 - Introduced by Representatives Kerkman, Steinbrink, Albers, Bies, Gunderson, Hahn, Mursau, Musser, A. Ott, Nass, Stone and Townsend, cosponsored by Senators Lassa, Kedzie and Grothman. Referred to Committee on Public Health.

AB52,1,3 An Act to amend 95.21 (4) (a); and to create 95.21 (4) (d) of the statutes; relating to: an exception for law enforcement dogs to the requirement that a dog that bites a person be quarantined.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Current law relating to rabies control requires a dog that bites a person to be quarantined for at least ten days. This bill creates an exception to the quarantine requirement for a law enforcement dog that bites a person while the dog is performing law enforcement functions if the dog is immunized against rabies.

For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB52, s. 1 Section 1. 95.21 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB52,2,4 95.21 (4) (a) Quarantine or sacrifice of dog or cat. An Except as provided in par. (d), an officer shall order a dog or cat quarantined if the officer has reason to believe that the animal bit a person, is infected with rabies or has been in contact with a rabid animal. If a quarantine cannot be imposed because the dog or cat cannot be captured, the officer may kill the animal. The officer may kill a dog or cat only as a last resort or if the owner agrees. The officer shall attempt to kill the animal in a humane manner and in a manner which avoids damage to the animal's head.

AB52, s. 2 Section 2. 95.21 (4) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

AB52,2,7 95.21 (4) (d) Exception for law enforcement dogs. 1. In this paragraph, "law enforcement agency" has the meaning given in s. 165.83 (1) (b).

AB52,2,13 2. The quarantine requirement in par. (a) does not apply to a dog that is used by a law enforcement agency and that bites a person while the dog is performing law enforcement functions if the dog is immunized against rabies as evidenced by a valid certificate of rabies vaccination or other evidence. If after biting the person the dog exhibits any abnormal behavior, the law enforcement agency shall have the dog examined by a veterinarian.

AB52,2,14 (End)