summary
Introduced
05/09/2025
05/09/2025
In Committee
05/09/2025
05/09/2025
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 does any of those actions is subject to a Class B forfeiture, or, if the person knows the animal is a police or fire dog, is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. 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 expands this prohibition to include search and rescue dogs in addition to animals that are used by a law enforcement agency or fire department to perform agency or department functions or duties. Under the bill, Xsearch and rescue dogY means a dog that has been trained or is being trained by a state or LRB-2887/1 MJW:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 238 nationally recognized search and rescue agency to locate lost or missing individuals and victims of disasters in search and rescue activities. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report.
AI Summary
This bill expands legal protections for search and rescue dogs by adding them to existing statutes that currently protect police and fire department animals. Under the bill, a "search and rescue dog" is defined as a dog trained or being trained by a state or nationally recognized search and rescue agency to locate lost, missing, or disaster-affected individuals. The legislation modifies existing laws to make it illegal to harass, intimidate, threaten, abuse, or physically harm search and rescue dogs, with penalties ranging from a Class B forfeiture (a fine) to criminal charges. Specifically, if someone knowingly interferes with a search and rescue dog, they could face a Class A misdemeanor. If the interference causes injury to the dog, it becomes a Class I felony, and if the interference causes the dog's death, it becomes a Class H felony. The bill also ensures that courts can require restitution for veterinary expenses or the replacement value of the dog. By extending these protections, the legislation recognizes the critical role search and rescue dogs play in locating missing persons and helping during disaster response, and provides legal consequences for those who might intentionally interfere with their important work.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (13)
Jesse James (R)*,
Van Wanggaard (R)*,
Deb Andraca (D),
Elijah Behnke (R),
Barbara Dittrich (R),
Chanz Green (R),
Rick Gundrum (R),
Jeff Mursau (R),
Amanda Nedweski (R),
Todd Novak (R),
Jerry O'Connor (R),
Jim Piwowarczyk (R),
Lisa Subeck (D),
Last Action
Representative Sinicki added as a cosponsor (on 06/20/2025)
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/sb238 |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB238.pdf |
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