Wis. Stat. » CHAPTER 951 — CRIMES AGAINST ANIMALS
Wisconsin Statutes

Wis. Stat. § 951.01 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of July 2026
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951.01951.01 Definitions. In this chapter:
951.01(1)(1) “Animal” includes every living:
951.01(1)(a)(a) Warm-blooded creature, except a human being;
951.01(1)(b)(b) Reptile; or
951.01(1)(c)(c) Amphibian.
951.01(1m)(1m) “Conservation warden” means a warden appointed under s. 23.10.
951.01(2)(2) “Cruel” means causing unnecessary and excessive pain or suffering or unjustifiable injury or death.
951.01(3)(3) “Farm animal” means any warm-blooded animal normally raised on farms in the United States and used or intended for use as food or fiber.
951.01(3e)(3e) “Humane officer” means an officer appointed under s. 173.03.
951.01(3f)(3f) “Fire department” includes a volunteer fire department and a department under s. 60.553, 61.66, or 62.13 (2e).
951.01(3m)(3m) “Law enforcement agency” has the meaning given in s. 165.83 (1) (b).
951.01(4)(4) “Law enforcement officer” has the meaning assigned under s. 967.02 (5) but does not include a conservation warden appointed under s. 23.10.
951.01(4s)(4s) “Search and rescue dog” means a dog that has been trained or is being trained by a state or nationally recognized search and rescue agency to locate lost or missing individuals and victims of disasters in search and rescue activities.
951.01(5)(5) “Service dog” means a dog that is trained for the purpose of assisting a person with a sensory, mental, or physical disability or accommodating such a disability.
951.01 HistoryHistory: 1973 c. 314; 1983 a. 189; 1987 a. 248; 1987 a. 332 s. 54; Stats. 1987 s. 951.01; 1989 a. 223; 1997 a. 27, 192; 1999 a. 83; 2001 a. 56; 2005 a. 353; 2011 a. 32; 2025 a. 152.
951.01 AnnotationLegislative Council Note, 1973: The definition of “animal” is based on s. 346.20, Minn. Stats. Anno. (1971). The term includes not only animals strictly so-called but birds and other living warmblooded creatures except people. [Bill 16-S]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4 cases, 2008–2015 · leading case: United States v. Stevens, 533 F.3d 218 (3d Cir. 2008).
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United States v. Stevens, 533 F.3d 218 (3d Cir. 2008). “Code §§ 7-10-3 to -4a (2008); Wis. Stat. §§ 951.01 -, 18 (2007); Wyo. Stat.”
State v. Kuenzi, 2011 WI App 30 (Wis. Ct. App. 2011). · cites it 9× “" Wis. Stat. § 951.01 (2). The term "animal" is also defined in chapter 951.”
Flint v. City of Milwaukee, 91 F. Supp. 3d 1032 (E.D. Wis. 2015). “” The word “cruel” is defined in § 951.01(2) as “causing unnecessary and excessive pain or suffering or unjustifiable injury or death.”
State v. Klingelhoets, 2012 WI App 55 (Wis. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 2× “02, resulting in the mutilation, disfigurement or death of an animal, is guilty of a Class I felony.”
Wis. Stat. § 951.01(1): 1 case
State v. Kuenzi, 2011 WI App 30 (Wis. Ct. App. 2011). “" Wis. Stat. § 951.01 (2). The term "animal" is also defined in chapter 951.”
Wis. Stat. § 951.01(2): 1 case
Flint v. City of Milwaukee, 91 F. Supp. 3d 1032 (E.D. Wis. 2015). “” The word “cruel” is defined in § 951.01(2) as “causing unnecessary and excessive pain or suffering or unjustifiable injury or death.”
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