173.13 Taking custody of animals.

392 words·~2 min read·/wi/chapter-173/173-13-3

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(1)Intake.

(a)A humane officer, on behalf of a political subdivision in which the humane officer has jurisdiction under s. 173.03

(3), or a law enforcement officer, on behalf of a political subdivision, may take custody of an animal if the humane officer or law enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the animal is one of the following:

1. An abandoned or stray animal.

2. An unwanted animal delivered to the humane officer or law enforcement officer.

3. A dog not tagged as required by ch. 174 .

4. An animal not licensed in compliance with any ordinance.

5. An animal not confined as required by a quarantine order under any statute, rule or ordinance relating to the control of any animal disease.

6. An animal that has caused damage to persons or property.

8. An animal used in any crime under s. 944.18 or ch. 951 or that constitutes evidence of a crime under s. 944.18 or ch. 951 .

9. An animal delivered by a veterinarian under sub.

(2).

(b)A humane officer shall accept into custody any animal delivered by a law enforcement officer or delivered under a court order.

(c)A person other than a humane officer or a law enforcement officer may not take an animal into custody on behalf of a political subdivision unless the animal is an abandoned or stray animal. If a person other than a humane officer or a law enforcement officer takes custody of an abandoned or stray animal on behalf of a political subdivision, he or she shall deliver the animal to a person contracting under s. 173.15

(1), to a humane officer or law enforcement officer for disposition under s. 173.23 or to a pound.

(2)Delivery of animal by veterinarian.

(a)A humane officer or law enforcement officer or a person contracting under s. 173.15

(1)may accept an animal delivered by a veterinarian, or his or her employee, if the animal has not been picked up by its owner and all of the following apply:

1. The veterinarian notified the owner of the animal by certified mail, return receipt requested, that the animal was ready to be picked up and that the animal would be delivered to a humane officer if not picked up within 7 days.