summary
Introduced
02/21/2025
02/21/2025
In Committee
06/05/2025
06/05/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under current law, no person may do any of the following to any animal that is used by a law enforcement agency or fire department to perform agency or department functions or duties: frighten, intimidate, threaten, abuse, or harass the animal; strike, shove, kick, or otherwise subject the animal to physical contact; or strike the animal by using a dangerous weapon. Under current law, any person who intentionally does any of those actions and causes injury to the animal is guilty of a Class I felony, and any person who intentionally does any of those actions and causes death of the animal is guilty of a Class H felony. Additionally, for such a violation, a sentencing court must require a criminal violator to pay restitution, including veterinary care expenses or the value of a replacement animal. This bill increases the penalty for injuring such an animal to a Class H felony and the penalty for causing the death of such an animal to a Class G felony. A Class H felony is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to six years, or both, and a Class G felony is punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 or imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, LRB-2029/1 MJW:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 64 the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report.
AI Summary
This bill modifies existing Wisconsin law regarding crimes against police and fire animals by increasing the criminal penalties for intentionally injuring or killing such animals. Currently, intentionally causing injury to a law enforcement or fire department animal is a Class I felony, and causing the animal's death is a Class H felony. The bill upgrades these penalties, making intentionally causing injury to such an animal a Class H felony (which carries a potential fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to six years in prison) and intentionally causing the animal's death a Class G felony (which carries a potential fine of up to $25,000 and/or up to ten years in prison). The law applies specifically to animals used by law enforcement agencies or fire departments in performing their official functions, and it covers actions such as frightening, intimidating, threatening, abusing, harassing, or physically striking the animal. By increasing the severity of these penalties, the bill aims to provide stronger legal protection for working animals in public service roles and to deter potential harmful actions against them.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (28)
Tim Carpenter (D)*,
LaTonya Johnson (D)*,
Howard Marklein (R)*,
Steve Nass (R)*,
Van Wanggaard (R)*,
Deb Andraca (D),
David Armstrong (R),
Elijah Behnke (R),
Lindee Brill (R),
Calvin Callahan (R),
Barbara Dittrich (R),
Robert Donovan (R),
Joy Goeben (R),
Rick Gundrum (R),
Brent Jacobson (R),
Dean Kaufert (R),
Joel Kitchens (R),
Rob Kreibich (R),
Dave Maxey (R),
Vincent Miresse (D),
Amanda Nedweski (R),
Jerry O'Connor (R),
William Penterman (R),
Jim Piwowarczyk (R),
Christine Sinicki (D),
David Steffen (R),
Paul Tittl (R),
Chuck Wichgers (R),
Last Action
Senator Ratcliff added as a coauthor (on 06/18/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb64 |
| SB64 ROCP for Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/senate/judiciary_and_public_safety/1923024.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB64.pdf |
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