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

Wis. Stat. § 951.02 (2026)

Mistreating animals

✓ current as of July 2026
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951.02951.02 Mistreating animals. No person may treat any animal, whether belonging to the person or another, in a cruel manner. This section does not prohibit normal and accepted veterinary practices.
951.02 HistoryHistory: 1973 c. 314; 1987 a. 332 s. 54; Stats. 1987 s. 951.02; 1993 a. 486; 2011 a. 32.
951.02 AnnotationConviction under this section does not require proof of intent or negligence. State v. Stanfield, 105 Wis. 2d 553, 314 N.W.2d 339 (1982).
951.02 Annotation“Animal” in this section includes non-captive wild animals, such as the deer in this case. State v. Kuenzi, 2011 WI App 30, 332 Wis. 2d 297, 796 N.W.2d 222, 09-1827.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 6 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2011–2023 · leading case: Flint v. City of Milwaukee, 91 F. Supp. 3d 1032 (E.D. Wis. 2015).
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Flint v. City of Milwaukee, 91 F. Supp. 3d 1032 (E.D. Wis. 2015). · cites it 28× “604 ; and (2) Wis. Stat. § 951.02 , which criminalizes cruelty to animals.”
State v. Klingelhoets, 2012 WI App 55 (Wis. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 16× “Klingelhoets appeals from the judgment convicting him of a Class I felony for intentionally mistreating an animal, resulting in the animal's death, contrary to Wis. Stat. §§ 951.02 and 951.18(1) (2009-10), 1 and convicting him of a Class A misdemeanor for intentionally shooting…”
State v. Jeremiah J. Purtell, 2014 WI 101 (Wis. 2014). · cites it 4× “Purtell pled guilty to two felony counts of mistreating animals in a cruel manner, contrary to Wis. Stat. § 951.02 (2005-06). This 2006 guilty plea arose from events that transpired after Purtell began dating a veterinary technician who he met through Myspace, a…”
State v. Kuenzi, 2011 WI App 30 (Wis. Ct. App. 2011). · cites it 19× “The Kuenzis were criminally charged under the animal cruelty statute, Wis. Stat. § 951.02 . 1 Both men moved to dismiss the charges, and the circuit courts granted the motions.”
State v. Christy Rose Tuchel (Wis. Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 2× “§ 951.02, and twenty-four counts of failing to provide sufficient food or water for animals in her care as a party to a crime contrary to WIS.”
State v. Jeremiah J. Purtell (Wis. 2014). · cites it 2× “Purtell pled guilty to two felony counts of mistreating animals in a cruel manner, contrary to Wis. Stat. § 951.02 (2005-06). This 2006 guilty plea arose from events that transpired after Purtell began dating a veterinary technician who he met through Myspace, a…”
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