Sauk County, WI Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Declaration authority
- Animal control officer or any law enforcement officer
- On-property rule
- Securely confined indoors or locked escape-proof pen
- Off-property rule
- Muzzle plus chain/leash no longer than 4 feet
- Appeal path
- Sheriff's Dept hearing, then Circuit Court within 30 days
Summary
Sauk County bans no specific dog breed; instead Sec. 27.006(4) lets an animal control officer or any law enforcement officer declare an individual animal 'vicious' after an unprovoked attack, then requires strict indoor confinement, muzzling and a four-foot leash whenever the animal leaves the owner's property.
(4)Any animal declared "vicious" as defined in Section 27.02 of this ordinance shall comply with the following requirements:(a)While on the owner's property, a vicious animal must be:1.Securely confined indoors.2.Kept in a securely enclosed and locked pen or structure suitable to prevent the entry of young children and designed to prevent the animal from escaping.(b)While off the owner's premises, the vicious animal must be muzzled and restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding four feet in length and under the control of a responsible adult person. The muzzle must be made in a manner that will not cause injury to the animal or interfere with its vision or respiration, but must prevent it from biting or injuring any person or animal.(c)The animal control officer or any law enforcement officer, after conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding an unprovoked animal attack, is hereby empowered to declare the animal in question vicious.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 27 defines a vicious animal in the definitions section as one that, unprovoked, bites, injures, kills or attacks a person or domestic animal, but the same definitions carve out acts committed in self-defense, against a trespasser, or by an animal assisting law enforcement. Once the animal control officer or any law enforcement officer investigates an unprovoked attack and declares an animal vicious under Sec. 27.006(4)(c), the owner is served personally or by certified mail. While on the owner's property, Sec. 27.006(4)(a) requires the animal be kept securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed, locked pen designed to keep young children out and the animal in.
Off the property, Sec. 27.006(4)(b) requires a muzzle that will not injure the animal or block its breathing, plus a substantial chain or leash no longer than four feet, under a responsible adult's control at all times. An aggrieved owner may petition the Sauk County Sheriff's Department for a hearing conducted under Sauk County Code Chapter 33, and if still dissatisfied after that determination, may petition the Sauk County Circuit Court for review within 30 days of the hearing decision.
Violations & Fines
Violating the confinement, muzzle or leash requirements for a declared vicious animal is enforced by the Sauk County Sheriff's Department or animal control officer under Sec. 27.012 through citation or forfeiture. The general Chapter 27 penalty ladder in Sec. 27.013 applies: $25.00 for a first violation in a year, rising to $50.00, $75.00 and $100.00 for later violations, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sauk County ban specific dog breeds?
What must an owner do once an animal is declared vicious?
Can an owner challenge a vicious declaration?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sauk County
How Sauk County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Sauk County to another location·View the Wisconsin animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.