"If a pet killed another pet, they have to be held responsible for that," Nettekoven told Post-Crescent Media.
On Sept. 8, she was walking her 4-month-old Alaskan Klee Kai puppy near Little Chute High School when three dogs approached them, and one suddenly attacked the puppy, named Tala.
"There was no growling and they didn't seem aggressive," she said. "All at once, one of the golden (retriever) mixes just latched onto my dog and just started shaking her. There was no warning to it; I couldn't do anything."
Tala was rushed to the vet, but didn't survive. Normally, such an incident would result in the attacking dog being designated a prohibited dangerous animal, police said at the time. In Little Chute, that means the dog would be euthanized or moved to another home outside the village.
However, since the retriever and its owner were visiting from Missouri, the woman merely received a $124 citation for dog at-large. Fox Valley Metro police forwarded the information to her local police department and put the dog under a 10-day home quarantine.
The retriever's owner agreed to pay restitution for the Nettekovens' loss, but Nettekoven said she hasn't heard from her since they signed the agreement.
Dog bites
In Wisconsin, the maximum penalty for a dog injuring a person, pet, deer or game bird is $500. If the same dog causes a second injury, the fine can be $200-$1,000. In a total forfeiture, mandatory court costs are added to the fine, but each municipality decides how much to fine an owner.
"The consequences of your dog biting another dog or person can get quite expensive," said Neenah police officer Edgar Gonzalez.
While Neenah doesn't have a separate ordinance for animal bites, an owner can receive a $124 citation for animal at-large if a dog attacks. If the dog is not licensed or vaccinated for rabies, its owner can receive additional $124 citations for each infraction, Gonzalez said.
Neenah police respond to about 64 calls for animal bites each year and 92 animal at-large calls.
In Appleton, the total forfeiture is $200 for a first offense and $263 for a second offense. Appleton police have about 28 calls per year for animal bites, although there have already been 97 calls in 2014 as of Sept. 30.
Menasha police have, on average, 29 calls for dog bites per year. The city does not allow a Menasha owner to keep a dog or cat that attacks a person or kills or wounds a pet. Other forbidden behaviors are dogs that frequently bark or howl, if it annoys a person, or chase vehicles on public streets.
As in Neenah, Menasha owners receive citations for dogs at-large. A first incident can be dealt with by issuing a warning. An $89 citation is issued for a second incident and any additional incidents result in $127 citations.
Following an attack or bite, most municipalities require an animal to be quarantined for 10 days and have regular vet checks. If vaccinations are up-to-date, the quarantine can take place at the owner's home; otherwise, the animal must stay at a veterinarian's office.
"It is not common practice in Neenah to put the dog down for biting someone," Gonzalez said.
"However, if the dog has aggressively attacked someone or has bitten others repeatedly, the chief of police can declare the dog a dangerous animal."
Most allow an owner to keep a dangerous dog — one which attacks or injures a person or pet — but additional restrictions are in place. Owners must get a dangerous animal license, spay or neuter it, implant a microchip for identification and have the dog muzzled, in a kennel or indoors at all times.
Upon a second attack or injury, a dog is often designated a prohibited dangerous dog. Like the retriever that attacked Tala, the dog must be removed from the municipality within five business days or euthanized. The laws don't specify what happens if the dog is not from the area; some police said they notify the owner's local department as a courtesy.
If owners don't comply with the order to get rid of the dog, they are fined regularly until they comply.
Dogs at-large
State law allows fines for dogs at-large to be $25-$100 for a first offense and $50-$200 for subsequent offenses.
With court fees tacked on, Appleton has the most expensive forfeiture for animals at-large: $200 for a first offense ($50 fine, plus court costs); $232 for a second offense and $263 for a third. On average, Appleton police respond to about one call per day for animals at-large, which includes dogs and cats and on one occasion this year, a parrot.
Responding officers also have the option of issuing a warning for the first offense, but it depends on the situation, said Lead Community Service Officer Cole Roberts.
Not every call results in a citation; since 2008, there have been 110 summons for dog bites and four for cat bites in Appleton.
In the Town of Menasha, police rarely issue citations for a first dog at-large offense, said Officer Jason Weber. On average, Town of Menasha police respond to 111 dog at-large incidents and issue five citations per year.
(Appleton Post Crescent - Oct 5, 2014)
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