Community Affairs To Discuss Vicious Dog Ordinance In Wauwatosa

WAUWATOSA, WI — The Community Affairs Committee on Tuesday will consider amending an ordinance regarding dangerous and vicious dogs to have clearer definitions.

"The common council of the city of Wauwatosa finds that it is necessary to adapt this chapter to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the city of Wauwatosa and to ensure the humane treatment of animals by regulating the care and control of animals within the city," according to city documents.

The amendments would clarify that a dangerous and vicious dog fits into one of the following categories.

• Any dog that behaves in a manner which poses a serious and imminent threat of great bodily harm or death to a person or domestic animal.
• A dog that, without justification, bites a person or domestic animal and does not cause great bodily harm.
• Any dog that has been declared dangerous by any agency or department of another municipality, county or state.

A dog that defends its owner or young from an attack would not be considered dangerous. Neither would a dog defending itself against abuse or provoking behavior, or a law enforcement animal.

The amendments said a fine of $50-$100 for failure to vaccinate an animal against rabies. Refusing to quarantine or isolate an animal would be a fine of between $100-$1,000.

Any vicious dog ordered to be impounded or removed due to violations would be at the owner's expense. Any dog that caused great bodily harm on two separate occasions maybe destroyed as a result of a court's decision.

The amendments also state a person with a dangerous dog should post a "Beware of Dog" sign, the owner must have liability insurance in the amount of $100,000 insuring the owner for any personal injuries or physical damage inflicted by the dog.

The owner of a dangerous or vicious dog shall immediately notify the health or police department if the dog escapes, is unconfined, has attacked another animal or someone has died, the documents said.