City of Milwaukee - File #: 250028

• File #: 250028
• Version: 3
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 4/22/2025
• In control: COMMON COUNCIL
• Final action: 2/10/2026
• Effective date: 2/28/2026
• Title: A substitute ordinance relating to the ethical treatment and ownership of animals.
• Sponsors: ALD. BAUMAN, ALD. MOORE, ALD. SPIKER, ALD. TAYLOR, ALD. BURGELIS
• Indexes: ANIMALS

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
2/27/2026	3	CITY CLERK	PUBLISHED
2/11/2026	3	MAYOR	SIGNED
2/10/2026	3	COMMON COUNCIL	PASSED; Minutes note: Ald. Burgelis added as Co-sponsors.	Pass	15:0
1/29/2026	2	PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE	SUBSTITUTED; Minutes note: Appearing: Sponsor - Ald. Bauman & Spiker Jezamil Arroyo-Vega - DNS Commissioner Lori Gallup - DNS Addis Zewdie - LRB	Pass	5:0
1/29/2026	3	PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE	RECOMMENDED FOR PASSAGE	Pass	5:0
1/8/2026	2	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.	Pass	4:0
12/16/2025	2	COMMON COUNCIL	ASSIGNED TO	Pass	14:0
12/4/2025	2	PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE	REFERRED WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION AND ASSIGNED TO	Pass	5:0
12/4/2025	1	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	Pass	5:0
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 3
Reference

Sponsor
ALD. BAUMAN, MOORE, SPIKER, TAYLOR, 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
78-1-6.5 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
78-1-33.5 cr
78-1-34.2 cr
78-1-34.5 cr
78-1-34.7 cr
78-1-38 cr
78-1-39 cr
78-1-40 cr
78-5-3 rc
78-5-5 cr
78-7-0 am
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
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, 1.6, 1.7, 6.5, 9.5, 15.5, 28.5, 29.5, 32.5, 33.5, 34.2, 34.5, 34.7, 38, 39, and 40 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, i...