WRIGHTSTOWN, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A Brown County village is cracking down on rules for what it considers vicious dogs.
The action isn’t sitting well with some dog-owners in Wrightstown, and the Village Board agreed to make some changes.
The Board heard from the public Wednesday night. While it may be willing to bend some decades-old rules, Trustee Keith Wendlandt tells FOX 11 it won’t break all of them.
“It’s for the betterment of the village. We have to protect the residents of the village, their owners, you know, their pets, their property.”
The village defines a dog as “vicious” if it has a tendency to attack people or other animals. Part of the ordinance labels pit bulls as vicious dogs – a label some take issue with.
“The breed-specific part of the legislation should absolutely go,” said resident Mara Welnetz.
“There’s a way to make our town safe, as safe as all the other towns surrounding us that don’t have breed-specific legislation, without impacting my family.”
Another resident, Pandora Larson, agreed with Welnetz.
“I do not believe that a breed-specific part should be in this law. It should either be for all or none.”
Cassandra Profitt, a local pet groomer, said the ordinance as it stands discriminates against certain breeds.
“I am not comfortable turning away a dog because of its bloodlines but, rather, if it’s a danger to myself, anyone else in the facility or my tools.”
The board did not eliminate its breed-specific rules, but it did agree to get rid of the requirement for vicious dogs to be muzzled at all times – something a Wrightstown veterinarian says she’s heard clients complain about.
“When she takes the dog out with the muzzle on, because they want to be careful, everybody goes to the opposite side of the street, or they’re afraid of the dog.”
A rule that no vicious dog can be kept in homes with only screen doors or open windows was also eliminated.
“We understand that people are very passionate about their pets, and we want passionate pet owners because they’re the most responsible ones out there,” said Wendlandt.
Owners of dogs that are labeled “vicious” by the ordinance, will still have to carry insurance. They’ll also still be required to have signs that say “Beware of Dog” on their property.
