Animal Ordinances in Rock County, WI (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Rock County, Wisconsin.
Verified from official government sources
Dog Leash Laws
A Rock County dog is running at large under Wisconsin law whenever it is off its owner's premises and not under anyone's control, with a narrow exception for dogs actively hunting on land open to hunting. Rock County Ordinance Section 3.209 adopts this state standard and layers on its own forfeiture, $25 to $100 for a first offense and $50 to $200 for later ones.
Dog Leash and At-Large Rules in Rock County
Some RestrictionsWis. Stat. Sec. 174.042(1)-(4)
174.042(1) Dog running at large. (a) Except as provided in par. (b), a dog is considered to be running at large if it is off the premises of its owner and not under the control of the owner or some other person. (b) A dog that is actively engaged in a legal hunting activity, including training, is not considered to be running at large if the dog is monitored or supervised by a person and the do...
Exotic Pets
Rock County adopts Wisconsin's captive-wildlife law, Wis. Stat. § 169.04, in full by ordinance Sec. 3.212(2), banning possession of any live wild animal unless it was legally obtained and the possessor holds the required license. A conviction carries a forfeiture of not more than $1,000. Common exempt species include chipmunks, mice, and opossums; most exotic and nonnative wild animals need a Department of Natural Resources license.
Exotic and Wild Animal Possession Rules in Rock County, WI
Significant RestrictionsWis. Stat. § 169.04(1)(a)-(b), adopted by Rock County Code § 3.212(2)
169.04 Possession of live wild animals. (1) Restrictions on possession. (a) No person may possess any live wild animal unless the wild animal is legally obtained. (b) No person may possess any live wild animal unless the person holds a license or other approval to possess the wild animal as required under this chapter or under s. 29.319 and the person is otherwise in compliance with this chapte...
Cat Rules
Rock County has no cat-licensing scheme, but it does adopt Wisconsin's rabies-control law for cats: an officer who has reason to believe a cat bit someone or was exposed to rabies must quarantine it, with delivery to an isolation facility within 24 hours of the order. Refusing to comply, or any other section violation, can draw a forfeiture.
Cat Quarantine and Rabies Rules in Rock County
Some RestrictionsWis. Stat. Sec. 95.21(4)(a), (5)(a), (10)(c)
95.21(4)(a) Quarantine or sacrifice of dog or cat. Except as provided in par. (d), an officer shall order a dog or cat quarantined if the officer has reason to believe that the animal bit a person, is infected with rabies or has been in contact with a rabid animal. If a quarantine cannot be imposed because the dog or cat cannot be captured, the officer may kill the animal... The officer shall a...
Animal Ordinances by City in Rock County
2 cities in Rock County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Rock County ordinances
See every category we cover for Rock County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
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