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Jefferson County, WI Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Cat licensing
None; only dogs must be licensed
Bite report duty
Owner must notify sheriff immediately
Applies to
Cat or dog bites of non-family
Quarantine
10-day isolation if a bite is confirmed
Noncompliance penalty
$100-$1,000 forfeiture under § 14-145(b)

Summary

Jefferson County does not license cats the way it licenses dogs, but Code § 14-139(b) still makes a cat's owner responsible for reporting any bite: an owner whose cat bites someone outside the immediate family must report the incident to the county sheriff.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Jefferson County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

The owner of any dog or cat which bites any person other than the owner or the owner's immediate family shall make a report of the bite incident to the county sheriff, giving the date, place and name of the dog or cat bite victim. The owner shall make such report immediately upon gaining personal knowledge of such bite, or immediately after receiving reliable information of such bite from the sheriff or any other person.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Jefferson County's rabies-control division defines "owner" in § 14-138 as "a person who owns, harbors, keeps or controls any cat or dog," so the division's duties reach cat owners even though the chapter's licensing sections (§§ 14-116 through 14-118) require only dogs over five months old to be licensed; the code contains no county cat-licensing or cat-at-large requirement. " Once a bite is reported, the sheriff's investigation and quarantine authority in §§ 14-141 and 14-142 apply to "the animal" generally, not just dogs, so a cat that has bitten someone can be ordered into a ten-day isolation period at a humane society shelter, veterinary hospital or municipal pound, or quarantined on the owner's premises if currently vaccinated.

The owner bears the cost of that isolation, examination and any required lab work under § 14-143(b). A person who refuses to comply with a quarantine or delivery order faces the forfeiture schedule set out in § 14-145 that otherwise applies to the division's dog provisions.

Violations & Fines

An owner who refuses to comply with a sheriff's or health officer's quarantine order, or with an order to deliver an animal to an officer, isolation facility or veterinarian under §§ 14-141/14-142, may be prosecuted by the county district attorney and forfeit not less than $100.00 nor more than $1,000.00 plus taxable costs under § 14-145(b), with jail time possible until the forfeiture is paid, capped at 30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Jefferson County require cats to be licensed?
No. The county's dog-licensing sections (§§ 14-116 through 14-118) apply only to dogs five months or older; the code has no separate cat-licensing requirement, though the rabies-control division's duties still cover cat owners.
What must I do if my cat bites someone?
Section 14-139(b) requires the owner of a cat that bites anyone other than the owner or immediate family to report the bite to the county sheriff immediately upon learning of it, giving the date, place and the victim's name.
Can the county quarantine my cat after a bite?
Yes. Sections 14-141 and 14-142 let the sheriff or another officer order any animal, including a cat, quarantined for a ten-day observation period at an isolation facility or on the owner's premises if it is currently vaccinated.
What is the penalty for ignoring a cat quarantine order in Jefferson County?
Under § 14-145(b), an owner who refuses to comply with a quarantine or delivery order forfeits not less than $100.00 nor more than $1,000.00 plus costs, with possible jail time of up to 30 days for nonpayment.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Jefferson County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsDog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsChickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingLight RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic ZoningSignificant RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSignificant Restrictions

All Jefferson County rules

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