LRB-1321/1
RCT:kjf
2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE
February 11, 2016 - Introduced by Senators Risser,
Ringhand and Carpenter,
cosponsored by Representatives
Berceau, Milroy, C. Taylor, Subeck,
Sargent, Ohnstad, Goyke, Sinicki and Spreitzer. Referred to Committee on
Judiciary and Public Safety.
SB727,1,2
1An Act to amend 173.12 (title) and 173.12 (1) of the statutes;
relating to:
2reporting the mistreatment of animals.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Current law requires a veterinarian to report to a humane officer or law
enforcement officer when the veterinarian has reason to believe that an animal has
been in a fight in violation of the law relating to animal fighting.
This bill expands the reporting requirement so that it applies to mistreatment
of an animal in violation of any of the laws relating to crimes against animals. Under
the bill, a veterinarian who makes a report of animal mistreatment in good faith is
immune from civil liability for making the report.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB727,1
3Section
1. 173.12 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB727,1,5
4173.12 (title)
Animal Reporting animal mistreatment; animal fighting;
5seizure.
SB727,2
6Section
2. 173.12 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB727,2,8
1173.12
(1) Any veterinarian who has reason to believe that an animal has been
2in a fight in violation of s. 951.08
or otherwise mistreated in violation of ch. 951 shall
3report the matter to the local humane officer or to a local law enforcement agency.
4The report shall be in writing and shall include a description and the location of the
5animal, any injuries suffered by the animal and the name and address of the owner
6or person in charge of the animal, if known.
Any veterinarian making a report under
7this subsection in good faith is immune from civil liability resulting from making the
8report.
