Wisconsin Senate Bill SB238

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/9/25
• Refer: 5/9/25

Caption

Harassment of search and rescue dogs and providing a penalty.

Impact

The proposed bill will modify existing statutes to encompass search and rescue dogs under the same protective measures afforded to police and fire animals. It stipulates that individuals found to have harassed, intimidated, or injured these animals would face a range of legal consequences, escalating from a Class B forfeiture for harassment to more severe Class A misdemeanors and Class I or Class H felonies, depending on the severity of the offense. Such elevated penalties intend to deter potential acts of violence or mistreatment towards these vital working animals.

Summary

Senate Bill 238 aims to expand legal protections regarding the harassment of animals specifically used by law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and training organizations. The bill introduces new definitions and penalties for the harassment of search and rescue dogs, recognizing their crucial role in locating lost or missing persons and victims of disasters. This legislative move is indicative of a growing acknowledgment of the importance of these animals in public safety and disaster response efforts, highlighting their unique contributions beyond conventional law enforcement animals.

Contention

Although the bill enjoys broad support among lawmakers and animal protection advocates, there may be contention surrounding the enforcement of these new laws and the adequacy of penalties identified in the bill. Critics may argue about the feasibility of monitoring compliance and determining intent in cases of alleged harassment. Some stakeholders might raise concerns regarding the broader implications for animal welfare legislation and whether the bill adequately addresses the complexities of training and using animals for rescue functions. Overall, while SB238 is a significant step towards safeguarding important working animals, discussions about its practical implementation continue.