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Animal Services

Dog Owner Responsibilities
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The Madison Department of Public Health, Animal Services Section, Reminds all Dog Owners of the Following Ordinance Requirements within the City of Madison.

  • Keep your dog's rabies vaccination and dog license current.
  • Dogs must wear current rabies, license and Owner I.D. tags.
  • Keep your dog leashed when off your property unless you are within the off-leash exercise areas in parks where dogs are allowed.
  • Obtain and display a Park Permit anytime your dog is in a park in which dogs are allowed.
  • Do not allow your dog to trespass on public or private property or run-at-large, unleashed, or unattended.
  • Do not confine your dog in a vehicle in extreme (hot or cold) weather.
  • Provide your dog with adequate shelter if kept outside for extended periods.
  • Dogs are not allowed on school grounds, beaches, or public cemeteries.
  • Do not allow your dog in any park where dogs are prohibited.
  • Prevent your dog from injuring any person, property or other animal.
  • Never allow your dog to bark at, intimidate, attack, or threaten another pet or any person.
  • Report to the Health Department, any bite incident in which your dog is involved, whether your dog bites a person, is bitten by, or fights with a wild animal or stray pet.

    Failure to Follow these Rules may Result in Citations and Fines.

The Following Madison General Ordinances (M.G.O.) Pertain to Your Responsibilities for Cleaning up after Your Dog.

  • ALWAYS carry equipment sufficient to clean up your dog's feces whenever you and your dog are off your property. M.G.O. 7.322(2).
  • Do not allow your dog to defecate on any property, public or private (except your own property), unless you immediately remove, and properly dispose of the waste. M.G.O. 7.322(1).
  • Do not allow dog feces to accumulate on your property. M.G.O. 7.37(8).
  • Dog feces can pose health risks to people and pets. The fine for violating any of these ordinances is $100.00.

The City of Madison, Dane County Parks and Your Dog

Dogs are welcome in posted City of Madison Parks and all Dane County Parks. To keep your dog safe and be considerate of other park users, please obey the rules posted at the park. For City of Madison Parks Division Information, click here.

Dog park permits are required in all Dane County Parks and in designated City of Madison Parks where dogs are allowed. 

City of Madison & Dane County Dog Park Permits are Available from:

  • Madison Parks Division, Madison Municipal Building, 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 120 either in person between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. or click here to get a copy of the mail-in permit form.
  • Dane County Parks Office, 4318 Robertson Road, either in person between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or click here to get a copy of the mail-in permit form.
  • OR any of the following vendors:
    Dane County Clerk 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, 
    City-County Bldg., Rm 112
    Dane County 
    Humane Society    		 5132 Voges Rd.
    Mounds Pet Food 2210 S. Stoughton Road
    Mounds Pet Food 8309 University Avenue

Park Permits may also be available at your local vet or pet store. Call and ask.

Your Dog(s) must have a current rabies vaccination and license to be eligible for a Park Permit.

If you have any questions regarding Park permits or locations of dog exercise areas, contact the City of Madison Parks Division Office at 266-4711 or Dane County Parks at 246-3896.

General Questions

  • For animal bites, call 255-2345.
  • For animal related ordinances, call Animal Services at 267-1989.
  • For behavioral problems with your dog, consult with your veterinarian.
  • Enforcement of the Dog Exercise Areas contact Animal Services at 267-1989 or the Dane County Humane Society at 838-0413.
  • General Information on pet ownership call Animal Services at 267-1989.
  • License information call the City Treasurer at 266-4771.
  • Lost Dog, call the Dane County Humane Society at 838-0413.
  • Rabies prevention call Animal Services at 267-1989.

Keep Your Dog Happy and Safe

  • Carefully follow vaccination and worming schedules.
  • Affix a current owner identification tag to your dog's collar.
  • Provide shelter from sun, wind and precipitation whenever your dog is kept outside.
  • Be sure your dog's kennel, collar and leash are in sound condition.
  • Do not encourage your dog to be aggressive towards other pets or people.
  • Take your dog to a good obedience class.
  • Spay or neuter your dog.

Keep Your Neighbor Happy Too

  • Do not allow your dog to bark and disturb the peace.
  • Keep your property free of dog waste accumulation.
  • Pick up after your dog while out on walks.
  • Do not allow your dog to roam.
  • Curb your dog, do not allow it to urinate on flowers or shrubs in other yards

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