Kenosha, WI Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

075 defines a Dangerous Animal by conduct rather than breed: an animal that unprovoked bites, injures, endangers, kills or attacks a person or domestic animal; one with a known propensity to attack without provocation in a way that could cause injury or death; or one trained or used for fighting. The code carves out defenses, so an animal cannot be declared dangerous for reacting to a trespasser, to someone teasing or assaulting it, while defending a person from an unjustified attack, or while working under a law enforcement officer's control.

The Kenosha County Public Health Department investigates complaints, can summarily impound a suspected dangerous animal, and after considering the evidence issues a written determination and either an order of destruction or a set of restrictions. An owner placed under restrictions has thirty days to document spaying or neutering, a microchip carrying a warning that the animal is a declared dangerous animal, current rabies vaccination and licensing, and at least $300,000 in liability insurance; the animal must be segregated from non-household members, muzzled and leashed on a line no longer than four feet whenever it is off the property, and the owner must post 24-by-24-inch warning signs at every entrance to where it is kept.

The Department can also require a locked, escape-proof structure for outdoor confinement and may inspect the property annually. An owner or victim can appeal a determination to the Public Safety and Welfare Committee within seven days, and a Committee decision can be taken to Circuit Court by writ of certiorari within ten days. A dangerous designation can be lifted after thirty-six incident-free months if the owner also shows mitigating changes and a passed training course.