Sally, seized on 6-10-2011 by the Milwaukee Police Department. She has been housed at Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission ever since.

Dogs alleged to be involved in dogfighting can be seized and held as evidence.  In some cases, dogs have been kept for months or even years while court cases proceed.  This can cause extraordinary expenses and hardship for local government, and for private and public animal shelters.  Also, due to the length of time prior to resolution of legal proceedings, it can decrease the chances of such dogs being rehabilitated and adopted.  


Senator Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) is introducing a bill to improve this process. This bill will change state law to provide clearer rules enabling a court to require that an owner of an animal who is the subject of a Chapter 173 seizure or a Chapter 951 criminal case, to pay for the reasonable costs of custody and care for the animal.

The bill will also allow local animal shelters working under contract with a political subdivision and that have custody of an animal impounded under Chapter 173 to directly petition a court for an early disposition of the civil matter.

The bill will also set reasonable time limits for the court to act on certain items related to any animal seizure and for the owner to respond to various steps in order to expedite the entire disposition process under Chapter 173.

The bill will also remove the requirement that an animal alleged to have been involved in fighting be maintained in custody pending the outcome of any criminal charges, and instead allow that the animal be retained in custody for a period that is reasonable to allow the collection of evidence relating to the animal.

 Additional Reading:

National Animal Control Association guidelines for seized dogs

American Bar Association Supports Justice for Victims of Animal Cruelty

HSUS Changes Policy on Dogs Seized From Fight Busts by KC Dog Blog

The Sad Plight of Milwaukee's Court Case Dogs by Cindi Ashbeck

Milwaukee's Forgotten Dogs by Kathy Pobloskie

One Year Anniversary and No End in Sight for Milwaukee's Forgotten Dogs by Kathy Pobloskie