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

Washington County Code § 172-13 defines a "vicious dog" entirely by conduct: a dog with a propensity to attack, cause injury or endanger safety as shown by habitual chasing, snapping, barking or snarling in a threatening manner; a dog that attacks a person or another domestic animal without provocation; or a dog owned or trained primarily for dog fighting. Notably, the code's own editor's notes state that the original 1998 Code definition of "pit bull dog" and the provision listing pit bulls as per se vicious were both "repealed at time of adoption of Code," meaning Washington County no longer regulates any breed by name.

Once the Sheriff or a designee investigates a complaint and determines a dog is vicious under § 172-13C, the owner must comply with § 172-13B: keep the dog leashed with a leash no longer than four feet and muzzled whenever it is outside its kennel or pen (except at a sanctioned AKC show), confine it in a securely locked, roofed pen with a buried or floored bottom when not leashed, never keep it on a porch or behind only a screen door, post a "Beware of Dog" sign within 15 days, and carry $50,000 in public liability insurance within 30 days, proof of which must be produced to the Sheriff on request.

A vicious dog may never be kept in a multiple dwelling. An owner may appeal the Sheriff's vicious-dog determination to the county's Public Safety Committee under § 172-13D, and a court may order a vicious dog destroyed under § 172-13E if it represents a continuing threat. Violating any part of § 172-13 draws a forfeiture under the Chapter 1 general penalty, with each day of violation a separate offense.