Wisconsin has no statewide leash law — restraint requirements are set by each Rock County municipality. Wis. Stat. §174.05 requires every dog over 5 months to be licensed through the local municipal clerk/treasurer, and §174.042 authorizes impoundment of dogs running at large.
Rock County dog licenses are issued through municipal clerks and treasurers — not the county directly — although the Rock County Clerk's office (608-757-5660) administers and supplies tags under Wis. Stat. Ch. 174. Per Wis. Stat. §174.07(1)(a), a license is required for any dog over 5 months of age, and a current rabies vaccination certificate (Wis. Stat. §95.21) must be presented. Minimum statutory fees are $3 (spayed/neutered) and $8 (unaltered), with municipalities allowed to set higher fees. Tags must be obtained by April 1 each year, after which late fees apply. A dog is 'running at large' under Wis. Stat. §174.001(2) if it is off the owner's premises and not under the control of the owner or another person. State penalties under §174.042 are $25-$100 for the first offense and $50-$200 for subsequent offenses. Most Rock County cities (Janesville, Beloit) and villages add their own leash/restraint ordinances and forfeitures on top of state minimums.
First-offense at-large fine: $25-$100 (Wis. Stat. §174.042); subsequent offenses: $50-$200. Unlicensed dog: forfeiture under §174.05. Most Rock County municipalities add their own forfeitures (often $75-$200) on top of state minimums.
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See how Rock County's dog leash laws rules stack up against other locations.
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