Marshfield (OnFocus) – It’s the time of year where more people are enjoying biking or jogging on country roads. In Wood County, reports of dogs chasing bicyclists and runners are most often addressed by local law enforcement.
According to Wood County Directive 15, “the Wood County Humane Officer is responsible for investigating cases of animal bites, abuse or neglect of domesticated animals in ALL of Wood County – except for the City of Marshfield Local PDs, town constables or Wood County Deputies are responsible for cases of domesticated animals at large or being a nuisance (barking etc … ).”
“If you are outside and being chased by a dog, you should get the fire number of the house where this dog lives, call Dispatch with the address and tell them the dog is chasing you down the street. They will turn it over to the town chair or a deputy,” said Wood County Humane Officer Nanci Olson.
In the rare instance when a person or animal is in immediate danger, a Deputy or Officer may be sent to assess the situation. For example, bite cases have certain time frames that must be met so it is vital that this information be relayed to the Humane Officer, as soon as possible, so they can do their procedures in a timely manner.
Under State Statute 174.042, a dog is ‘at large’ if it’s off the owner property and not under control (not on a leash).
“When living out in the country, yes, many dogs are loose, but they have to stay on the property when loose – they can not go chasing you down the road,” said Olson. “The owner will be spoken with, issued a warning or a citation, and told that being the dog runs down the road chasing bikes (many dogs just hate wheels, bikes, skate boards, etc) and the dog needs to be in a kennel or tied up when outside.”
Per Wisconsin State Statute 174.042 Dogs running at large and untagged dogs are subject to impoundment; penalties.
(1) Dog running at large.
(a) Except as provided in par. (b), a dog is considered to be running at large if it is off the premises of its owner and not under the control of the owner or some other person.
(b) A dog that is actively engaged in a legal hunting activity, including training, is not considered to be running at large if the dog is monitored or supervised by a person and the dog is on land that is open to hunting or on land on which the person has obtained permission to hunt or to train a dog.
(2)Untagged dog. A dog is considered to be untagged if a valid license tag is not attached to a collar which is kept on the dog whenever the dog is outdoors unless the dog is securely confined in a fenced area.
(3)Dog running at large or untagged dog subject to impoundment. An officer shall attempt to capture and restrain any dog running at large and any untagged dog.
(4)Penalties. If the owner of a dog negligently or otherwise permits the dog to run at large or be untagged, the owner shall forfeit not less than $25 nor more than $100 for the first offense and not less than $50 nor more than $200 for subsequent offenses.
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/174/01
If anyone has a concern about a dog at large, they are encourage to contact dispatch at 715-387-4394.
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Author: News Desk
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