How West Allis Handles Animal Ordinances: A Practical Guide
West Allis maintains 89 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with animal ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where West Allis falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Dog Leash Laws
West Allis requires anyone with an animal off their own property to keep it within 6 feet of themselves and under control at all times, with escalating fines for violations.
Key details: Governing section: WAMC § 7.21. Required distance: Within 6 feet. First offense fine: $25-$100. Repeat offense fine: $50-$200.
$25-$100 forfeiture for a first at-large offense and $50-$200 for each subsequent offense, under WAMC § 7.21; each incident is charged separately.
Wildlife Feeding
West Allis makes it a public nuisance to put out food that attracts rats, mice, raccoons, or squirrels along with the birds -- the city has adopted Wisconsin's wildlife-feeding rule into its own animal code.
Key details: Rule: Nuisance if it attracts vermin. Adopts: Wis. Adm. Code NR 19.60. Penalty: Forfeiture up to $500. Citation: WAMC Section 7.21(10). Enforced by: Health officer or police.
Violating the feeding rule draws a forfeiture of not more than $500 under WAMC Section 7.21's general penalty clause; a repeated or ongoing violation can also be charged as a public nuisance.
Pet Limits
West Allis limits a dwelling unit to 2 dogs and 4 cats over 5 months old unless an occupant holds an animal fancier license.
Key details: Governing section: WAMC § 7.21. Dog limit: 2 per dwelling unit. Cat limit: 4 per dwelling unit. Exception: Animal fancier license.
Forfeiture of not more than $500 for keeping more dogs or cats than allowed without an animal fancier license, under WAMC § 7.21's general penalty clause.
Chickens & Livestock
West Allis limits residential animal-keeping to a fixed list of small domestic species; chickens, goats, pigs, and other livestock aren't on it and need a health-commissioner animal fancier license instead.
Key details: Default list: Excludes chickens, goats, pigs, horses. Workaround: Health commissioner fancier license. License needs: Premises inspection. Dog/cat cap: 2 dogs, 4 cats per unit. Penalty: Up to $500 forfeiture.
Keeping an animal not on the permitted list, such as backyard livestock, without an animal fancier license is punishable by a forfeiture of not more than $500 per violation under WAMC § 7.21.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. West Allis actively enforces its chickens & livestock requirements.
Exotic Pets
West Allis bans owning, keeping, or selling any live wild animal citywide, with narrow exceptions for accredited zoos, licensed vets, licensed research or educational institutions, and animals that cannot survive outside water.
Key details: Scope: Any live wild animal banned. Penalty: Up to $1,000 forfeiture. Exception: AZA-accredited zoo agents. Exception: Federal permit holders. Transit exception: Up to 24 hours, confined.
Owning, keeping, or selling a wild animal outside the listed exceptions draws a forfeiture of not more than $1,000 per violation under WAMC § 7.21.
This is one of the stricter rules in West Allis's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Breed Restrictions
West Allis doesn't restrict dog breeds - it declares individual animals 'dangerous' or 'prohibited' based on documented behavior, then imposes confinement, muzzling, insurance, and registration duties on the owner.
Key details: Basis: Documented behavior, not breed. Confinement: 6-ft barrier or leashed+muzzled. Also required: Signage, insurance, microchip. Appeal window: 10 days to Review Board. Prohibited animals: Banned citywide.
Violating a dangerous- or prohibited-animal order carries the forfeiture set in WAMC § 7.99, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense; owners may appeal an order within 10 days of service.
Compared to other cities, West Allis takes a harder line on breed restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.
The Bottom Line
West Allis is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in West Allis, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.
All of the above reflects West Allis's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.