Rothschild's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Rothschild, Wisconsin, there are 5 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Beekeeping

Rothschild bans beekeeping outright: Village Code § 422-28 makes it unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to keep bees anywhere in the Village, with no residential-zone carve-out, hive-count limit, or hobbyist exception written into the ordinance.

Key details: Governing section: Rothschild Village Code § 422-28. Rule: Bees banned village-wide, no exceptions. Fine range: $5 to $50 per violation. Continuing violation: Each day is a separate offense. Located in: Ch. 422, not Ch. 195 Animals.

Anyone found keeping bees in Rothschild faces a fine of not less than $5 nor more than $50 upon conviction, and each day the bees remain on the property constitutes a separate offense, so an unresolved violation can accumulate daily rather than being a single one-time fine.

Compared to other cities, Rothschild takes a harder line on beekeeping. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Pet Limits

Rothschild limits pet ownership to four adult dogs and/or cats combined per single-family home and two adult dogs and/or cats combined per multifamily unit, unless the property is licensed as a kennel. Village Code § 195-12 excludes service animals under the ADA and Wis. Stat. § 106.52(1)(fm) from the count.

Key details: Single-family cap: 4 adult dogs/cats combined, max 3 of either. Multifamily cap: 2 adult dogs/cats combined, max 2 of either. Kennel-licensed premises: exempt from the numeric cap. Service animals: not counted toward either limit. General penalty: up to $50 forfeiture or 15 days jail.

Chapter 195 sets no dedicated fine for exceeding the pet-limit numbers in § 195-12, so a violation falls under the Animal chapter's general penalty in § 195-27: a forfeiture of up to $50 per offense plus the cost of prosecution, with imprisonment in the county jail for up to 15 days in lieu of paying the forfeiture and costs.

Dog Leash Laws

Rothschild makes it unlawful to let a dog, cat or other animal run at large anywhere off its owner's property, under Village Code § 195-19. An animal is 'at large' unless it is on a leash, being lawfully exercised under § 195-22, riding in a vehicle or boat, or on another person's property with that owner's consent.

Key details: At-large ban: unlawful off owner's premises unless excepted. Public property/parks: leash and immediate control required. Fenced park areas: animals prohibited entirely. Off-leash carve-out: Cedar Creek recreation area, 4-H, shows, service animals. Penalty: up to $50 forfeiture or 15 days jail.

Chapter 195 sets no separate fine for letting an animal run at large under § 195-19, so it falls under the chapter's general penalty in § 195-27: a forfeiture of up to $50 per offense plus prosecution costs, with up to 15 days in jail in lieu of payment. Section 195-22D separately makes an off-leash violation on public property or in a park its own penalty-bearing offense.

Exotic Pets

Rothschild bans keeping any poisonous, dangerous or carnivorous wild animal or reptile within the Village, then lists more than two dozen specific prohibited species from apes and big cats to bears, wolves, venomous snakes and poisonous insects under Village Code § 195-28C. Narrow exceptions exist for licensed veterinarians, agricultural fairs, 4-H projects and permitted institutions.

Key details: Outright ban: poisonous, dangerous or carnivorous wild animals. Named species: apes, big cats, bears, wolves, coyotes, sharks, more. Common exotics banned: ferrets, skunks and raccoons. Exceptions: vets, ag fairs, 4-H, licensed schools if compliant. Penalty: up to $50 forfeiture or 15 days jail.

Chapter 195 sets no dedicated fine for possessing a prohibited wild animal under § 195-28C, so a violation is punished under the chapter's general penalty in § 195-27: a forfeiture of up to $50 per offense plus the cost of prosecution, with up to 15 days in the county jail in lieu of paying the forfeiture and costs.

Compared to other cities, Rothschild takes a harder line on exotic pets. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Chickens & Livestock

Rothschild bans keeping chickens and other livestock-type animals, including horses, mules, ponies, donkeys, cows, pigs, goats, sheep, and fur-bearing animals, anywhere in the Village under Code § 195-28D. Unlike the section's wild-animal ban, this livestock prohibition carries no listed exception for hobby farms or backyard coops.

Key details: Banned animals: horses, cows, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, fur animals. Scope: Village-wide, not zoning-district-specific. Listed exceptions: none apply to this subsection by its text. Last amended: 7-28-2025. Penalty: up to $50 forfeiture or 15 days jail.

Chapter 195 sets no dedicated fine for keeping livestock or fowl under § 195-28D, so a violation is punished under the chapter's general penalty in § 195-27: a forfeiture of up to $50 per offense plus the cost of prosecution, with up to 15 days in the county jail in lieu of paying the forfeiture and costs.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Rothschild actively enforces its chickens & livestock requirements.

The Bottom Line

Rothschild is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 5 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Rothschild, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Rothschild can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.