Milwaukee County, WI Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Milwaukee County operates a network of off-leash dog exercise areas (DEAs) at Currie, Estabrook, Granville, Runway, Warnimont, and other county parks - dogs must be licensed, vaccinated, and accompanied by an adult inside a DEA, but must be leashed everywhere else on county park property under the Milwaukee County Parks DEA permit rules. The City of Milwaukee's primary leash rule is in MCO Chapter 78 (Animals): an animal is not 'at large' only if it is attached to a leash not more than 6 feet in length, of sufficient strength to restrain the animal, and held by a competent person. Owners must pick up pet waste on public property and on private property they do not own; the City may issue a citation for failure to remove dog waste. MCO sec. 78-22 imposes heightened requirements on dogs that are at least 50 percent American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire terrier, American Pit Bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, miniature bull terrier, or Rottweiler, including: leashes, licenses, secure fencing or kennels, mandatory dog behavior class attendance, minimum handler age, and minimum distance from public right-of-way. Statewide, Wis. Stat. ch. 174 requires every dog 5 months and older to be licensed annually and currently vaccinated against rabies, and authorizes municipal impoundment of stray dogs. Wis. Stat. sec. 174.02 imposes strict liability on owners for injuries caused by their dog, with double damages if the owner had prior notice of biting tendencies. Wauwatosa, West Allis, Greenfield, and the villages incorporate the same 'at large' framework with leash maximums between 6 and 8 feet depending on jurisdiction. The Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC) at 3839 W. Burnham Street is the countywide impound and reclamation facility for stray dogs picked up in nearly every Milwaukee County municipality.