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File #: 250028    Version:
Type: Ordinance Status: In Council-Passage
File created: 4/22/2025 In control: PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE
On agenda: Final action:
Effective date:    
Title: A substitute ordinance relating to the ethical treatment and ownership of animals.
Sponsors: ALD. BAUMAN, ALD. MOORE, ALD. SPIKER
Indexes: ANIMALS
Attachments: 1. Statement of Alison Fotsch - WI Humane Society, 2. eComment, 3. Alison Fotsch Testimony WHS, 4. 6 12 25 LRB Memo - MSO ch 78-Notes, 5. 7 2 25 LRB Memo Ch. 78 Conversation with DNS, 6. Proposed Sub B, 7. Proposed Sub C, 8. City Attorney Legality and enforceability, 9. Statement from Joe Duncan, 10. Proposed Sub D, 11. Final MADACC 2025 Budget 10.15.24.pdf, 12. DispositionsSeptember2025.pdf, 13. Chapter 78 Fiscal and Equity Evaluation - MADACC..pdf, 14. FiscalImpactStatement_ANIMALS1.pdf, 15. Lauren Zimmer eComment, 16. Statement from Amanda Arrington and Lindsay Hamrick, 17. OCA response, 18. Fiscal Impact Statement, 19. PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE F (NOW sub 3)
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultTallyAction DetailsMeeting DetailsVideo
1/29/20262 PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTED

Minutes note: Appearing: Sponsor - Ald. Bauman & Spiker Jezamil Arroyo-Vega - DNS Commissioner Lori Gallup - DNS Addis Zewdie - LRB
Pass5:0 Action details Meeting details Video Video
1/29/20263 PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED FOR PASSAGEPass5:0 Action details Meeting details Not available
1/8/20262 PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR

Minutes note: Appearing: Ald. Robert Bauman, 4th Ald. Dist. Michael Mazmanian, DNS The ordinance to be reviewed again by all relevant parties.
Pass4:0 Action details Meeting details Video Video
12/16/20252 COMMON COUNCIL ASSIGNED TOPass14:0 Action details Meeting details Not available
12/4/20252 PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE REFERRED WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION AND ASSIGNED TOPass5:0 Action details Meeting details Video Video
12/4/20251 PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTED

Minutes note: Appearing: Sponsors - Ald. Bauman & Ald. Moore LRB - Addis Sewdie Dept Neighborhood Services (DNS) - Michael Mazmanian Lorie Gallup – DNS. Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC) Director - Karen Sparapani Humane Society Pres/CEO - Alison Fotsch Ald. Taylor moved to accept Proposed Sub E, now SUB 2. There were no objections. Public testimony: Linda Elmer - Resident & volunteer at MADACC and Humane Society Kristin Catalano - Resident & volunteer at Humane Society Ald. Burgelis asked to be added Co-sponsor
Pass5:0 Action details Meeting details Not available
7/3/20251 PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR

Minutes note: Appearing Sponsors Ald. Bauman & Moore MADDC Director Karen Sparapani Humane Society Director Alison Fotsch DNS Commissioner Jezamil Arroyo-Vega
Pass5:0 Action details Meeting details Not available
4/22/20250 COMMON COUNCIL ASSIGNED TO   Action details Meeting details Not available
Number
250028
Version
SUBSTITUTE 3
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. BAUMAN, MOORE, SPIKER, TAYLOR AND BURGELIS
Title
A substitute ordinance relating to the ethical treatment and ownership of animals.
Section
60-5-1 am
78-1-1 rp
78-1-1 cr
78-1-1.5 cr
78-1-1.6 cr
78-1-1.7 cr
78-1-9.5 cr
78-1-15.5 cr
78-1-28.5 cr
78-1-29.5 cr
78-1-32.5 cr
78-1-33.2 cr
78-1-34.2 cr
78-1-38 cr
78-1-39 cr
78-1-41 cr
78-5-3 rc
78-5-5 cr
78-7-4 cr
78-7-5 cr
78-7-6 cr
78-7-7 cr
78-7-8 cr
78-17-6 cr
78-21-2 rc
78-31-9 cr
78-31-10 cr
78-55-6-a am
Analysis
This ordinance revises code provisions relating to the care, control, and ownership of
animals. The ordinance updates definitions, adjusts limits on the number of animals
permitted per household, establishes requirements for residential breeding activity and
the transfer of animals, and requires microchipping for dogs and cats. It revises
procedures for reclaiming impounded animals, sets standards for tethering and outdoor
housing, and updates penalty and enforcement provisions. The ordinance aligns local
regulations with applicable state law and contemporary animal care standards.
Body
-2-
The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee do ordain as follows:
Part 1. Section 60-5-1 of the code is amended to read:
60-5. Animal Impoundment Fee.
1. The basic fee for the repossession of an impounded animal shall be [[$75.]]>>$25. <<
Part 2. Section 78-1-1 of the code is repealed.
Part 3. Section 78-1-1, 1.5, 1.7, 9.5, 15.5, 28.5, 29.5, 32.5, 33.2, 34.2, 38, 39, and 41 of
the code is created to read:
78-1. Definitions.
1. ACCIDENTAL LITTER means a litter that was not intentionally bred, planned,
facilitated, or allowed for the purpose of sale, distribution, or other commercial activity at
the time breeding occurred, and that is not the result of repeated or negligent failure to
take reasonable steps to prevent breeding, including failure to separate, contain, or
sterilize animals, as described in sub. 6.5.
1.5. ANCHOR SWIVEL means a ...

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