De Pere, WI Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

De Pere regulates dangerous animals by conduct, not breed. City Code § 86-4(c)(2) defines a "dangerous animal" as one that, off its owner's or custodian's property, has killed a person, domestic pet or other animal with or without provocation; one that, without provocation, inflicts substantial bodily harm, meaning a laceration requiring stitches, a bone fracture, a concussion, a lost or fractured tooth, or any temporary loss of consciousness, sight or hearing, on a person, pet or animal anywhere; one that chases or approaches a person in a menacing fashion without provocation in public or on private property without permission; one already declared dangerous or vicious and banished or ordered destroyed by another municipality; or a dog trained, owned or harbored for dog fighting.

Law-enforcement dogs used for police work are exempt under § 86-4(c)(1). Any police officer or the city's health officer can issue a written declaration, delivered personally to the owner or custodian. Under § 86-4(c)(3)a, an owner who disagrees has 72 hours from receipt to file a written objection with the city health officer stating specific reasons, which triggers a hearing before the board of health. While that hearing is pending, the animal must be securely confined, either leashed with a leash no longer than four feet and muzzled when outside its kennel, or kept indoors where it cannot exit on its own; the property must post signs at least two inches tall warning of a dangerous animal at every entrance.

If the board upholds the declaration, the animal must leave the city within 48 hours of the decision. A dog or other animal that causes bodily harm off its owner's premises on two separate occasions without reasonable cause faces destruction under Wis. 02, as incorporated by § 86-4(c)(4).