Oneida County, WI Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- At-large ban
- All owned animals must not run at large
- Acceptable restraint
- Leash, fenced yard, or equivalent chain device
- Impoundment
- Referred to local authority, humane shelter confinement
- Reclaim window
- 7 days before animal becomes county property
- Applies to
- Unincorporated towns unless local town rule differs
Summary
Oneida County bars every owned animal from running at large. Section 23.10(1) states the rule outright, § 23.04(2) defines 'at large' as off the owner's property and uncontrolled, and § 23.12(1) sends any loose animal to impoundment in a humane shelter until the owner pays fees and reclaims it or it becomes county property after seven days.
ANIMAL AT LARGE — Any animal shall be deemed to be at large when off the property of the owner and not under the control of the owner or some other person. ... RESTRAINT — Any animal secured by a leash, lead or within the fenced (underground/above ground) property limits of the animal's owner or leashed by a chain or other significant restraining device that limits the animal to the property limits of the owner. ... Restraint. All owned animals shall not be permitted to run at large. ... Animals at Large. Animals at large shall be referred to the local governmental authority and impounded in a temporary or permanent animal shelter and confined in a humane manner.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4929683; v20 updated 2026-04-21; through 04-21-2026).
Full Breakdown
Oneida County bars owners from letting any owned animal, not only dogs, run loose. 04(17) spells out what counts as adequate restraint: securing the animal by leash or lead, keeping it inside a fenced property (above or below ground fencing both count), or restraining it with a chain or other device of sufficient strength to keep it within the owner's property line. 12(5) any animal not reclaimed within seven days becomes county property for adoption or humane euthanasia at the owner's expense. Because Wis. 03, is as strict or stricter.
Violations & Fines
Letting a dog or other owned animal run at large violates § 23.10(1) and § 23.04(2), and the animal can be impounded under § 23.12(1) at the owner's expense. Reclaiming it requires paying accrued impoundment and boarding fees and showing a current dog license and rabies certificate under § 23.12(4); an animal left unclaimed for seven days under § 23.12(5) becomes county property for adoption or euthanasia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as an animal being at large in Oneida County?
What restraint satisfies the leash law?
What happens if my dog is picked up running loose?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oneida County
Compare Oneida County to another location·View the Wisconsin animal ordinances overview
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