City of Milwaukee - File #: 250028

• File #: 250028
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: In Committee
• File created: 4/22/2025
• In control: PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE
• Title: A substitute ordinance relating to the ethical treatment and ownership of animals.
• Sponsors: ALD. BAUMAN, ALD. MOORE

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
7/3/2025	1	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 :	Pass	5:0
4/22/2025	0	COMMON COUNCIL	ASSIGNED TO

Number
250028
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference

Sponsor
ALD. BAUMAN AND MOORE
Title
A substitute ordinance relating to the ethical treatment and ownership of animals.
Section
78-1-1 ra
78-1-1 cr
78-1-1.5 cr
78-1-8.5 cr
78-1-9.5 cr
78-1-10.5 cr
78-1-15.5 cr
78-1-19 cr
78-1-20 cr
78-1-21 cr
78-1-22 cr
78-1-25.5 cr
78-1-26.5 cr
78-1-27.5 cr
78-1-28.5 cr
78-1-29.5 cr
78-1-32.5 cr
78-1-33.2 cr
78-1-33.5 cr
78-1-34.2 cr
78-1-34.5 cr
78-1-36 cr
78-1-38 cr
78-1-39 cr
78-1-40 cr
78-1-41 cr
78-5-3 am
78-7-3 cr
78-7-4 cr
78-8 cr
78-17-6 cr
78-19-5 cr
78-19-6 cr
78-21-2 rc
78-22 rc
78-24 cr
78-31-9 cr
78-55-6-a am
Analysis
This ordinance creates provisions in the code regulating dangerous animal behavior, humane management of feral cats through trap-neuter-return, mandatory pet microchipping, and enhanced tethering restrictions. The ordinance also establishes standards for pet ownership, outdoor cat management, and animal care enforcement, and creates additional penalties as necessary.
Body
The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee do ordain as follows:

Part 1. Section 78-1-1 of the code is renumbered 78-1-1.7 and amended to read:

78-1. Definitions.

1.7. ANIMAL FANCIER means any person in a residential dwelling unit who keeps, harbors, raises or possesses any combination of rabbits, dogs or cats numbering not less than, nor more than, [[5]] >>4<< animals over the age of 5 months.

Part 2. Section 78-1-1, 1.5, 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 15.5, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25.5, 26.5, 27.5, 28.5, 29.5, 32.5, 33.2, 33.5, 34.2, 34.5, 36, 38, 39, 40, and 41 of the code is created to read:

78-1. Definitions.

1. ALTERED FERAL CAT means a feral cat that has been captured, sterilized, eartipped, microchipped, and vaccinated against rabies.
1.5. ANCHOR SWIVEL means a device that connects the tether to the anchor and prevents twisting or tangling by allowing the tether to rotate freely.
8.5. CARETAKER OF COMMUNITY CATS means a per...