2012 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
173. Animals; humane officers.
173.22 Review of seizure or withholding.
173.22 Review of seizure or withholding.
(1) Petition. A person claiming that an animal that he or she owns was improperly taken into custody under s. 173.13 (1) (a) 3., 4., 5., 6. or 8. or is wrongfully withheld under s. 173.21 (1) may seek return of the animal by petitioning for an order from the circuit court for the county in which the animal was taken into custody or in which it is held.
(2) Notice and hearing. The court shall provide notice of a petition under sub. (1) to the humane officer or law enforcement officer who took the animal into custody or to the political subdivision that withheld the animal and shall hold a hearing on the issue of whether the animal was improperly taken into custody or is wrongfully withheld.
(3) Order.
(a) If the animal was taken into custody under s. 173.13 (1) (a) 8. or is withheld under s. 173.21 (1), the court shall order the animal returned to the owner unless it determines that one of the following conditions is satisfied:
1. There are reasonable grounds to believe that the owner has mistreated the animal in violation of ch. 951.
2. There are reasonable grounds to believe that the animal poses a significant threat to public health, safety or welfare.
3. The animal may be used as evidence in a pending prosecution.
4. A court has ordered the animal withheld for any reason.
(b) If the animal was taken into custody under s. 173.13 (1) (a) 3., the court shall order the animal returned to its owner if the court determines that the animal was tagged or was not required to be tagged under ch. 174.
(c) If the animal was taken into custody under s. 173.13 (1) (a) 4., the court shall order the animal returned to its owner if the court determines that the animal was licensed or was not required to be licensed.
(d) If the animal was taken into custody under s. 173.13 (1) (a) 5., the court shall order the animal returned to its owner if the court determines that the animal was not subject to a quarantine order or was confined as required by a quarantine order.
(e) If the animal was taken into custody under s. 173.13 (1) (a) 6., the court shall order the animal returned to its owner if the court determines that the animal did not cause damage to persons or property.
History: 1997 a. 192.
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