Dane County, WI Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

18 declares that owning, keeping or harboring a dangerous animal is a public nuisance, and the ordinance runs under sec. 03, Wis. Stats. It applies only in the unincorporated areas of Dane County, so Madison, Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Stoughton and Monona enforce their own dangerous-dog rules. The department investigates whenever there are reasonable grounds to believe an animal has attacked, bitten or injured a person or domestic animal engaged in lawful activity, has chased or confronted a person in a menacing fashion without provocation off its owner's property, has been trained for fighting, or otherwise poses a threat to public safety.

After considering the evidence, the director may declare the animal dangerous and must notify the owner by mail, email, personal delivery, posting, or another agreed method. Once declared, an animal must be humanely destroyed or placed under the restrictions the department sets, and any officer may summarily impound an animal believed dangerous while the determination is pending. The owner is liable for impoundment and boarding costs unless the department declines to declare the animal dangerous or that finding is overturned on administrative review or in court. Owners have 30 days to document compliance with restrictions once an animal is declared dangerous.