on September 10, 2026

Wisconsin Dog Poop Laws

Quick answer: Wisconsin has no statewide pooper scooper law. Picking up after your dog is regulated city by city, and all three of the largest cities we checked have an ordinance requiring it. Madison publishes a set ticket of $100.

Why Wisconsin leaves it to cities

Wisconsin has no statewide law requiring people to pick up after their dogs; pick-up rules are written by cities, villages, and towns. The state dog law (Wis. Stat. ch. 174) addresses control rather than cleanup. Under Wis. Stat. § 174.042, a dog is 'running at large' if it is off its owner's premises and not under anyone's control, and an owner who lets a dog run at large or go untagged forfeits $25 to $100 for a first offense and $50 to $200 for later offenses. In the three largest cities, violations are handled by citation, with the forfeiture or fine set in each city's own code.

  • Dogs running at large and untagged dogs; forfeitures: Wis. Stat. § 174.042 (read it)

Pooper scooper laws in Wisconsin's largest cities

Each row comes from the city's own municipal code. "Up to" is the most a court can impose, not a standard ticket. Where a city publishes no amount, we say so rather than estimate one.

City Ordinance Fine Must carry a bag
Milwaukee Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 78-19-3, Animal Litter Nuisance (penalty class under § 78-55-6; amounts under ch. 61, § 61-9) $25 to $200 Yes
Madison Madison General Ordinances § 7.322, Animal Defecation on Public or Private Property Regulated; cash deposits under MGO § 1.08 $100 Yes
Green Bay Green Bay Municipal Code § 6-4(f) (removal of animal waste) and § 6-4(h) (carrying cleanup equipment); penalty § 6-4(j); parks § 28-4 $1 to $1,000 Yes

The rule people miss: carrying the bag

In Milwaukee, Madison and Green Bay, the law does not just require you to pick up. It requires you to be carrying something to pick up with, so walking out without a bag can be an offense on its own even if your dog never goes.

A bag holder on the leash solves that for good. Ours is the Walk Dispenser, which clips on and holds a full roll.

Worth knowing about Wisconsin

  • Milwaukee's rule says what to do with the bag: it must be wrapped and deposited in an approved waste container 'situated upon his or her own premises,' meaning you carry it home rather than using someone else's trash can (§ 78-19-3).
  • Madison has a balcony rule: an owner may not let an animal urinate or defecate onto an elevated balcony, porch, or platform located above property owned or rented by someone else (§ 7.322(3)), with the same $100 and $200 deposits as the pick-up rule.
  • Green Bay limits dogs in city parks to pass-through use: leashed dogs (leash no longer than seven feet) may use designated perimeter or pass-through walkways and trails, owners and dogs 'shall not loiter, stop, or stand' in the parks, and any waste must be cleaned up (§ 28-4). At home, owners may not let more than 72 hours of feces accumulate (§ 6-4(g)).
  • All three of Wisconsin's largest cities require carrying a bag or other removal tool whenever you walk a dog off your own property.

Common questions

Is it illegal to not pick up dog poop in Wisconsin?

There is no statewide law, but every one of the largest cities we checked has a pickup rule, and most smaller towns have similar ordinances. Check your own city or county code.

How much is the fine for not picking up dog poop in Wisconsin?

It depends on the city. Milwaukee: $25 to $200. Madison: $100. Green Bay: $1 to $1,000.

Do I have to carry a poop bag in Wisconsin?

In Milwaukee, Madison and Green Bay, yes. The ordinance requires you to have a means of removal with you while walking your dog.

Other states in the Midwest

Illinois · Ohio · Michigan · Indiana · Missouri · Minnesota · Iowa · Kansas

See all 50 states · How scoop laws work in general

Sources

Checked 2026-09-10. Ordinances change, so if you are dealing with an actual citation, read the current code at the link rather than relying on this page.

This page is general information, not legal advice.