Animal Ordinances in Washington County, WI (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Washington County, Wisconsin.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Washington County bars anyone from letting animals or fowl, including backyard chickens and livestock, run loose off the owner's property in the unincorporated towns. An animal counts as restrained only if it is leashed, confined in a vehicle, or actively being hunted or trained under an owner's control.
Washington County Livestock and Poultry At-Large Ban
Some RestrictionsWashington County Code § 172-11
No person having in his possession or under his control any animal or fowl shall allow the same to run at large within the County. "At large" means an animal is off the premises of its owner and upon any public street or alley, school grounds, public park or other public grounds or upon any private property without the permission of the owner of the property, provided an animal shall not be dee...
Dog Leash Laws
Washington County requires dog owners to keep their animals off public property and other people's land unless the dog is on a leash, confined, or under direct control. A dog caught running loose or without its license tag can be seized by the Sheriff's Office and impounded at the Washington County Humane Society.
Washington County Dogs-at-Large and Leash Rules
Some RestrictionsWashington County Code § 172-12J
AT LARGE A dog which is off the premises of the owner and not under the control of some person either by leash or otherwise, but an animal within an automobile of any other person with the consent of the animal's owner shall be deemed to be upon the owner's premises. ... Dogs running at large. A dog is considered to be running at large if it is off the premises of its owner and not under the co...
Breed Restrictions
Washington County regulates dogs by behavior, not breed: § 172-13 defines a "vicious dog" as one that attacks, threatens or is kept for fighting, and requires leashing, muzzling, secure confinement, warning signs and $50,000 liability insurance once the Sheriff makes that determination. The code's own editor's notes confirm its earlier pit bull provisions were repealed.
Washington County Vicious Dog Rules, No Breed Ban
Significant RestrictionsWashington County Code § 172-13
VICIOUS DOG (1) Any dog with a propensity, tendency or disposition to attack, cause injury or otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or other domestic animals as evidenced by its habitual or repeated chasing or snapping, or barking and/or snarling in a threatening manner. (2) Any dog which attacks a human being or another domestic animal without provocation. (3) Any dog owned or harbored...
Exotic Pets
Washington County does not ban wolf-dog hybrids outright but heavily regulates keeping one: § 172-14 requires an eight-foot, double-gated, locked wire enclosure of at least 500 square feet, secure transport, and bite reporting to the Sheriff. Releasing or abandoning a hybrid draws the code's steepest animal fine, up to $1,000 per violation.
Washington County Wolf-Dog Hybrid Enclosure Rules
Significant RestrictionsWashington County Code § 172-14
WOLF-DOG HYBRID Any cross-breed resulting from the mating of a domesticated dog and a wolf, coyote, jackal or dingo or resulting from the mating of any wolf-dog hybrid and another wolf-dog hybrid or a domesticated dog. ... Enclosure requirements. A wolf-dog hybrid may be kept only in an enclosure that meets the following minimum requirements: ... The enclosure shall be constructed of woven, gal...
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