Contact: Donna Gilson 608-224-5130
MADISON – Proposed regulations to protect dogs and dog buyers will be the subject of five public hearings scheduled in September by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
The regulations detail standards that dog breeders and sellers must meet to get and keep their licenses to operate under a new law passed by the Legislature earlier this year. They cover both care of the dogs and the condition of the facilities where they are kept and transported.
The hearing schedule follows:
Madison – Monday, Sept. 20, 5-7 p.m., State Agriculture Building, 2811 Agriculture Drive, Room 106
Appleton – Thursday, Sept. 23, 2-4 p.m., Fox Valley Technical College, 1825 N. Bluemound Drive, Room E130 A & B
Eau Claire – Monday, Sept. 27, 6-8 p.m., The Plaza Hotel and Suites, 1202 West Clairemont Ave.
Wausau – Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2-4 p.m., Marathon County Public Library, 300 N. First St., Wausau Room
Milwaukee – Thursday, Sept. 30, 6-8 p.m., Havenwoods State Forest, 6141 N. Hopkins St., auditorium
The law, known as Wisconsin Act 90, requires licensing and inspection for anyone who breeds or sells at least 25 dogs a year from more than three litters, as well as animal shelters that take in at least 25 dogs a year and any animal control facility – often called a dog pound — operating under contract with a local government to take in stray animals. It was passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Jim Doyle earlier this year.
The proposed regulations that are the subject of the hearings flesh out the details of how the licensing and inspection program will operate day-to-day. The standards that breeders and sellers would need to meet under the regulations would require:
* Clean, adequate space that protects dogs, with fresh air and light
* Adequate, clean food and water
* Proper veterinary care
* Socialization to other dogs and to people
The proposal includes flexibility for the differing needs of different breeds of dogs.
In addition to attending the hearings to get information and comment, the public can also receive copies of the proposal from, and send comments about it to the following contacts:
* Online at http://AdminRules.Wisconsin.gov; use the search button and type in “dog sellers”
* Emailed to melissa.mace@wi.gov
* Mail to DATCP-DAH, ATTN Melissa Mace, PO Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708-8911
Copies of the proposed regulations are also available by calling 608-224-4883. The deadline for comments is 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8.
For more information about Act 90 and the proposed regulations, visit http://www.datcp.state.wi.us.
