March 2, 2010 - Introduced by Senators Risser, Carpenter, Miller and
Erpenbach, cosponsored by Representatives Pocan, Berceau, Black, Brooks,
Hebl, Pasch
and Pope-Roberts. Referred to Committee on Ethics Reform and
Government Operations.
SB580,1,10 1An Act to repeal 173.12 (1m) to (3), 173.13 (1) (a) 7., 173.24 (1) and 951.18 (4)
2(b) 2.; to renumber 173.12 (1) and 173.17; to renumber and amend 173.22
3(2), 173.23 (3) (c) and 951.18 (4) (b) 1.; to amend 173.12 (title), 173.13 (1) (a) 8.,
4173.15 (2) (b), 173.21 (1) (a), 173.21 (4), 173.22 (1), 173.22 (3) (a) 1., 173.23 (2),
5173.23 (3) (a), 173.23 (3) (d), 173.23 (3) (e), 173.23 (5) (b) and (c), 173.23 (6),
6173.24 (3), 174.13 (3), 968.19, 968.20 (1) (intro.) and 968.20 (2); and to create
7173.01 (4), 173.17 (2), 173.22 (2) (b), 173.23 (1) (e), 173.23 (3) (a) 2m., 173.23 (3)
8(a) 4., 173.23 (3) (c) 2., 173.23 (3) (dm), 173.23 (3) (f), 173.23 (3) (g), 173.23 (3)
9(h), 173.23 (3) (i) and 951.17 of the statutes; relating to: animals taken into
10custody.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill changes the laws related to animals that are taken into custody on
behalf of a city, village, town, or county (political subdivision).
Seizure and withholding of animals
Current law authorizes a humane officer or law enforcement officer to take
custody of an animal on behalf of a political subdivision for a number of reasons,

including that the animal is a stray or that the humane officer or law enforcement
officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the animal has been involved in animal
fighting or has been mistreated in violation of state law. Under current law, a
political subdivision may contract with another person (contractor), such as a
humane society, to provide custody and care of animals taken into custody on behalf
of the political subdivision.
Under current law, an animal taken into custody must generally be returned
to its owner if the owner provides reasonable evidence of ownership, provides for any
required licensure and vaccination of the animal, and pays the costs of custody and
care of the animal. Under this bill, an owner who wishes to obtain the return of an
animal in custody must also arrange to have a microchip implanted in the animal for
identification.
Current law authorizes a political subdivision to withhold an animal from its
owner if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the owner has mistreated the
animal in violation of state law; there are reasonable grounds to believe that the
animal poses a significant threat to public health, safety or welfare; the animal may
be used as evidence in a pending prosecution; or a court has ordered the animal
withheld for any reason.
If an animal is taken into custody because the animal is alleged to have been
involved in fighting, current law requires the animal to be kept in custody pending
the resolution of criminal charges relating to the alleged animal fighting. This bill
eliminates the provision requiring an animal alleged to have been involved in
fighting to be maintained in custody pending the outcome of the charges. Under this
bill, the provisions relating to an animal in custody that is believed to have been
involved in animal fighting are the same as those relating to an animal believed to
have been mistreated in violation of state law.
Petitions seeking return of animals in custody
Under current law, a person claiming that an animal that he or she owns was
improperly taken into custody or withheld by or on behalf of a political subdivision
may petition a court to order the return of the animal. The court must order the
animal returned to the owner unless the court makes one of several specified
determinations. One basis for denying a petition is that there are reasonable
grounds to believe that the owner has mistreated the animal in violation of state law.
Under this bill, the owner of an animal must file a petition for return of the
animal no later than the seventh day after the day on which the animal was taken
into custody. The bill requires the owner to serve a copy of the petition on the
contractor with custody of the animal as well as on the political subdivision. This bill
generally requires the court to hold a hearing on the issue of whether the animal was
improperly taken into custody or withheld within 10 days of the filing of the petition.
Other petitions concerning animals in custody
Under current law, a political subdivision may petition a court for an order with
respect to an animal taken into custody or withheld from the owner. The political
subdivision must notify the owner of the animal when it files a petition. In a petition,
a political subdivision may ask the court to provide for payment for the custody and
care for the animal, to require the owner to post bond for the costs of custody and care

for the animal pending the outcome of another court proceeding (such as a criminal
case related to the animal), or to authorize the sale, destruction, or other disposal of
the animal. The court may grant, modify, or deny petitioned-for relief, after
considering the interests of the animal, the owner of the animal, the political
subdivision, and the public. If an owner does not comply with an order directed to
the owner, the animal is treated as an unclaimed animal, which means that the
entity with custody of the animal may dispose of the animal by, for example, releasing
it to another person.
This bill allows a contractor with custody of an animal, in addition to a political
subdivision, to petition a court for an order with respect to the animal. The bill
requires the contractor to notify the owner and the political subdivision when it
petitions the court for an order with respect to the animal and to notify the district
attorney if it is alleged that the animal was mistreated in violation of state law or was
involved in animal fighting. The bill requires a political subdivision to notify a
contractor with custody of an animal, in addition to the owner, when it petitions a
court for an order with respect to the animal and to notify the district attorney if it
is alleged that the animal was mistreated in violation of state law or was involved
in animal fighting.
The bill authorizes a political subdivision or contractor that petitions the court
for an order with respect to an animal to ask the court to require the owner of the
animal to pay funds into the court for the costs of custody and care for the animal
pending the outcome of another court proceeding. If the court requires the owner of
the animal to pay funds into the court, funds must be periodically disbursed to the
person with custody to cover the person's reasonable costs. If the owner does not
comply with an order, the animal is treated as an unclaimed animal. The bill also
authorizes a political subdivision or contractor to petition a court to release an
animal to its owner pending the outcome of another court proceeding, but only if the
owner is not alleged to have mistreated the animal in violation of state law or to have
violated the law prohibiting animal fighting and only if other specified conditions are
satisfied.
The bill generally requires the court to hold a hearing on a petition filed by a
political subdivision or contractor within 10 days of the filing of the petition.
Order by criminal court
Under this bill, if there is a case charging mistreatment of an animal in
violation of state law or violation of the laws relating to animal fighting and an
animal allegedly involved in the violation is in custody under the civil laws described
above, the defendant or the district attorney may request the criminal court to order
that the animal be retained in custody for a period that is reasonable to allow the
collection of evidence relating to the animal. The bill requires the criminal court to
provide a copy of such an order to the person with custody of the animal and to any
court in which a case is pending under the civil laws described above.
The bill requires a person with custody of an animal and any court in which a
case is pending under the civil laws described above to ensure that the animal
remains in custody until the end of the period specified in the criminal court's order.

The ultimate disposition of the animal after the period specified in the order is
determined under the civil laws described above.
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:
SB580, s. 1 1Section 1. 173.01 (4) of the statutes is created to read:
SB580,4,42 173.01 (4) "Reasonable grounds to believe" means a set of facts and
3circumstances that in their entirety are sufficient to justify a reasonable person's
4belief.
SB580, s. 2 5Section 2. 173.12 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB580,4,6 6173.12 (title) Animal fighting; seizure reporting.
SB580, s. 3 7Section 3. 173.12 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 173.12.
SB580, s. 4 8Section 4. 173.12 (1m) to (3) of the statutes are repealed.
SB580, s. 5 9Section 5. 173.13 (1) (a) 7. of the statutes is repealed.
SB580, s. 6 10Section 6. 173.13 (1) (a) 8. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB580,4,1211 173.13 (1) (a) 8. An animal mistreated in violation of ch. 951 or involved in a
12violation of s. 951.08
.
SB580, s. 7 13Section 7. 173.15 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB580,4,1414 173.15 (2) (b) Maintain adequate records consistent with s. 173.17 (1).
SB580, s. 8 15Section 8. 173.17 of the statutes is renumbered 173.17 (1).
SB580, s. 9 16Section 9. 173.17 (2) of the statutes is created to read:
SB580,5,217 173.17 (2) A humane officer, law enforcement officer, political subdivision, or
18person contracting under s. 173.15 (1) is not required to disclose information

1concerning a person into whose custody an animal was ultimately released unless
2ordered to do so by a court.
SB580, s. 10 3Section 10. 173.21 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB580,5,54 173.21 (1) (a) There are reasonable grounds to believe that the owner has
5mistreated the animal in violation of ch. 951 or has violated s. 951.08.
SB580, s. 11 6Section 11. 173.21 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB580,5,117 173.21 (4) Return. A political subdivision or person contracting under s.
8173.15 (1) having custody of an animal withheld under sub. (1) shall release the
9animal to the owner at the direction of the humane officer or law enforcement officer
10that took custody of the animal if the requirements of s. 173.23 (1) (a) to (c) and (e)
11are satisfied.
SB580, s. 12 12Section 12. 173.22 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB580,5,1813 173.22 (1) Petition. A person claiming that an animal that he or she owns was
14improperly taken into custody under s. 173.13 (1) (a) 3., 4., 5., 6. or 8. or is wrongfully
15withheld under s. 173.21 (1) may seek return of the animal by petitioning, no later
16than the 7th day after the day in which the animal was taken into custody,
for an
17order from the circuit court for the county in which the animal was taken into custody
18or in which it is held.
SB580, s. 13 19Section 13. 173.22 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 173.22 (2) (a) and
20amended to read:
SB580,6,321 173.22 (2) (a) The court A person who files a petition under sub. (1) shall
22provide notice of a serve a copy of the petition under sub. (1) to, in the manner
23provided in s. 801.11, upon
the humane officer or law enforcement officer who took
24the animal into custody or to on the political subdivision that withheld the animal
25and if a person contracting under s. 173.15 (1) has custody of the animal, on that

1person. The court
shall hold a hearing on the issue of whether the animal was
2improperly taken into custody or is wrongfully withheld within 10 days of the filing
3of the petition, except as provided in par. (b)
.
SB580, s. 14 4Section 14. 173.22 (2) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
SB580,6,105 173.22 (2) (b) Upon a showing of good cause by the political subdivision, the
6person contracting under s. 173.15 (1), or the owner of the animal, the court may
7extend the date for a hearing under par. (a) beyond 10 days after the filing of the
8petition. In determining whether to extend the date for a hearing, the court shall
9consider how delaying the hearing will affect the health, safety, and welfare of the
10animal.
SB580, s. 15 11Section 15. 173.22 (3) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB580,6,1312 173.22 (3) (a) 1. There are reasonable grounds to believe that the owner has
13mistreated the animal in violation of ch. 951 or has violated s. 951.08.
SB580, s. 16 14Section 16. 173.23 (1) (e) of the statutes is created to read:
SB580,6,1615 173.23 (1) (e) The animal has an implanted microchip for identification or
16assurance of implantation of a microchip for identification is given by prepayment.
SB580, s. 17 17Section 17. 173.23 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB580,6,2218 173.23 (2) Animals not returned to owner. If an animal in the custody of a
19political subdivision, other than an animal to which sub. (1m) applies, is not returned
20to the owner under sub. (1) or (5) (b) or s. 173.12 (2), 173.21 (4) or 173.22 or disposed
21of under sub. (4) or (5) (a) or s. 173.12 (3), it shall be disposed of under a court order
22under sub. (3) or s. 951.18 (4).
SB580, s. 18 23Section 18. 173.23 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB580,7,224 173.23 (3) (a) A political subdivision or person contracting under s. 173.15 (1)
25may petition the circuit court for an order doing any of the following with respect to

1an animal taken into custody by a law enforcement officer or a humane officer or
2withheld under s. 173.21 (1):
SB580,7,43 1. Providing for payment, directly to the person with custody, for the custody,
4care, or treatment of the animal.
SB580,7,75 2. Requiring the owner of the animal to post bond or other security for the
6anticipated costs of custody, care, or treatment of the animal pending the outcome
7of any other proceeding, as provided in par. (g).
SB580,7,88 3. Authorizing the sale, destruction, or other disposal of the animal.
SB580, s. 19 9Section 19. 173.23 (3) (a) 2m. of the statutes is created to read:
SB580,7,1210 173.23 (3) (a) 2m. Requiring the owner of the animal to pay funds into the court
11for the costs of custody, care, or treatment of an animal pending the outcome of any
12other proceeding, as provided in par. (h).
SB580, s. 20 13Section 20. 173.23 (3) (a) 4. of the statutes is created to read:
SB580,7,1714 173.23 (3) (a) 4. If the owner of the animal is not alleged to have mistreated the
15animal in violation of ch. 951 or to have violated s. 951.08, releasing the animal to
16the owner of the animal as provided in par. (f) pending the outcome of any other
17proceeding.
SB580, s. 21 18Section 21. 173.23 (3) (c) of the statutes is renumbered 173.23 (3) (c) 1. and
19amended to read:
SB580,8,220 173.23 (3) (c) 1. The A political subdivision that files a petition under par. (a)
21shall serve a copy of the petition, in the manner provided in s. 801.11, upon the owner
22of the animal, if known; if a person contracting under s. 173.15 (1) has custody of the
23animal, upon that person; and, if the animal was taken into custody under s. 173.13
24(1) (a) 8. or was withheld under s. 173.21 (1) (a) or (c), upon the district attorney and

1the person alleged to have committed a violation relating to the animal if that person
2is not the owner
.
SB580, s. 22 3Section 22. 173.23 (3) (c) 2. of the statutes is created to read:
SB580,8,104 173.23 (3) (c) 2. A person contracting under s. 173.15 (1) who files a petition
5under par. (a) shall serve a copy of the petition, in the manner provided in s. 801.11,
6upon the owner of the animal, if known; upon the political subdivision with which
7the person contracts under s. 173.15 (1); and, if the animal was taken into custody
8under s. 173.13 (1) (a) 8. or was withheld under s. 173.21 (1) (a) or (c), upon the district
9attorney and the person alleged to have committed a violation relating to the animal
10if that person is not the owner.
SB580, s. 23 11Section 23. 173.23 (3) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB580,8,1412 173.23 (3) (d) The court shall conduct a hearing on the petition within 10 days
13of the filing of the petition, except as provided under par. (dm)
. The petitioner and
14any person upon whom a copy of the petition was served may appear as a party.
SB580, s. 24 15Section 24. 173.23 (3) (dm) of the statutes is created to read:
SB580,8,2016 173.23 (3) (dm) If the petitioned-for relief includes the sale, destruction, or
17other disposal of the animal, the owner of the animal may petition the court for a
18delay of the hearing for not more than 20 days, conditioned on the owner posting bond
19or other security or paying funds into the court to cover the anticipated reasonable
20costs of custody, care, and treatment of the animal.
SB580, s. 25 21Section 25. 173.23 (3) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB580,9,222 173.23 (3) (e) The court shall issue its order after hearing and may grant,
23modify and grant or deny the petitioned-for relief, after considering the interests of
24the animal, the owner of the animal, the political subdivision, and the public. If an

1order was issued under s. 951.17 (1) with respect to the animal, the court shall ensure
2that the animal remains in custody until the end of the period specified in the order.
SB580, s. 26 3Section 26. 173.23 (3) (f) of the statutes is created to read:
SB580,9,94 173.23 (3) (f) 1. The court may release an animal that was taken into custody
5under 173.13 (1) (a) 8. or was withheld under s. 173.21 (1) (a) or (c) to the owner of
6the animal, if the owner of the animal is not alleged to have mistreated the animal
7in violation of ch. 951 or to have violated s. 951.08, and order the owner to provide
8necessary shelter, care, and treatment, including any necessary veterinary care, to
9the animal at a specified location pending the outcome of any other proceeding.
SB580,9,1510 2. If a court makes an order under subd. 1., it may order the political subdivision
11that withheld the animal under s. 173.21 (1) or on behalf of whom the animal was
12taken into custody to have a humane officer or law enforcement officer make regular
13visits to the location at which the animal is kept to determine whether the animal
14is receiving necessary care and treatment and to remove the animal to another
15location if the animal is not receiving necessary care and treatment.
SB580,9,2416 3. If a court makes an order under subd. 1.; it shall order the owner of the
17animal to have a microchip implanted in the animal for identification; order the
18owner to provide proof of any licensure required by statute or ordinance or to provide
19assurance of licensure by prepayment; order the owner to provide proof of any
20vaccination required by statute or ordinance or to provide assurance of vaccination
21by prepayment; and order the owner to pay the costs incurred by the political
22subdivision or person contracting under s. 173.15 (1) for shelter, care, and treatment
23of the animal before the release of the animal to the owner unless the person who
24incurred the costs waives the payment requirement.
SB580, s. 27 25Section 27. 173.23 (3) (g) of the statutes is created to read:
SB580,10,3
1173.23 (3) (g) If a court orders the owner of an animal to post bond or other
2security for the costs of custody, care, or treatment of an animal pending the outcome
3of any other proceeding, the court shall do all of the following:
SB580,10,54 1. Order the owner to post bond or other security in the amount necessary to
5cover the reasonable costs of caring for the animal for a period specified by the court.
SB580,10,106 2. Order that if the other proceeding remains pending and the animal remains
7in custody, the owner shall post additional bond or other security, at least 10 days
8before the expiration of a period under subd. 1. or under this subdivision, in the
9amount necessary to cover the reasonable costs of caring for the animal for an
10additional period specified by the court.
SB580, s. 28 11Section 28. 173.23 (3) (h) of the statutes is created to read:
SB580,10,1412 173.23 (3) (h) If a court orders the owner of an animal to pay funds into the court
13for the costs of custody, care, or treatment of an animal pending the outcome of any
14other proceeding, the court shall do all of the following:
SB580,10,1615 1. Order the owner to pay into the court the amount necessary to cover the
16reasonable costs of caring for the animal for a period specified by the court.
SB580,10,2117 2. Order that if the other proceeding remains pending and the animal remains
18in custody, the owner shall pay into the court, at least 10 days before the expiration
19of a period under subd. 1. or under this subdivision, the amount necessary to cover
20the reasonable costs of caring for the animal for an additional period specified by the
21court.
SB580,10,2422 3. Require the funds to be periodically disbursed to the person with custody of
23the animal to cover the reasonable costs of providing custody, care, or treatment for
24the animal.
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