Price County Passes Habitual Animal Offender Ordinance, Hear

Last updated: May 2026

Price County Law Enforcement Committee Passes Habitual Animal Offender Ordinance Amid Public Concern

May 9, 2026 — Price County, WI

The Price County Law Enforcement Committee voted unanimously Friday to approve two new animal control ordinances, including a habitual animal offender designation that drew pointed questions from residents concerned about due process and property rights.

The meeting, which ran just over an hour, also featured introductions from two newly appointed county officials and an update on the long-delayed county radio communications project.

Habitual Animal Offender Ordinance Passes With Amendment

The centerpiece of the meeting was Section 223-44.1, a new ordinance creating the designation of “habitual animal offender” for residents with repeated animal-related violations.

During the public hearing, Jenny Strobble of Georgetown raised concerns about the ordinance’s language. She noted that much of the text uses “may” rather than “shall,” questioned the lack of requirements for medical proof of bites, and pointed to language allowing law enforcement to obtain warrants to enter private property.

“If it’s found to be unconstitutional, then you can throw it out,” Strobble observed about a disclaimer in the ordinance.

Walt Madson of Phillips — identifying himself as a former military working dog handler , called the ordinance “a red flag law for dogs.” Madson, who said he has had a five-year dispute with a neighbor over dog attacks on his family, said he supports stronger laws but believes the current wording “takes away people’s right to liberty as far as having a dog” and opens the door for future restrictions on dog ownership.

The Case Behind the Ordinance

Humane Officer Mindy Dabler presented a detailed case that prompted the ordinance. She described a single Price County residence where animal complaints escalated from zero in 2023 to three in 2024 and 20 in 2026.

According to Dabler, the household started with two dogs that were allowed to breed. The male was struck and killed by a car while running loose. The female had three puppies, and another resident purchased a sixth-month-old dog. The animals ran free as an unattended pack.

In 2026 alone, 24 citations were issued to one occupant for nuisance animals, failure to control animals, failure to obtain rabies vaccination, and failure to license. Two other residents received additional citations.

Between June 19 and July 2, 2026, five dog bites were reported from the residence. One dog, Chase, bit someone in Medford while supposedly under quarantine , and then bit again in Price County, at which point Dabler removed the animal from the home.

“After the dog bite incidents, neighbors began carrying sticks when going outside and bringing their own dogs for protection,” Dabler reported. Ten of the 20 complaints came after the bites had already occurred , incidents the ordinance could have prevented, she argued.

Due Process Debate

Committee member Bob Copish flagged a key language issue: the use of “may” instead of “shall” in the provision about court-ordered animal ownership restrictions. After discussion, the committee amended the ordinance to change “may” to “shall” on line 15, ensuring that a court-ordered prohibition on animal ownership is mandatory rather than discretionary.

Copish also raised concerns about the appeals process, which sends disputes directly to the full 13-member County Board rather than through the Law Enforcement Committee first. Sheriff Brian Schilling and newly appointed District Attorney Alexis Nash explained that routing appeals through the committee first would disqualify those five members from later board votes, since they’d already formed opinions.

“Then you’ve taken five members out of the decision-making process at the full board because they’re not a neutral party,” Schilling noted.

Copish expressed discomfort with politicians making final determinations on animal enforcement, but the committee ultimately passed the ordinance as amended.

The companion ordinance, Section 223-9, which establishes legal definitions for the habitual offender designation , including a three-year conviction window , also passed unanimously.

New Officials Introduce Themselves

The meeting served as a formal introduction for two recently appointed county officials.

Coroner Amy Casey, appointed April 9, told the committee she grew up in the community, ran the funeral home in Phillips and Prentice from 2020 to 2024, currently works at Lake View Pharmacy, and is an EMT on the ambulance crew. She reported eight deaths since taking office, with no autopsies yet under her watch, though predecessor Sue had some pending. John Harding was deputized in March as chief deputy coroner, though the committee noted the statute may require formal deputization procedures.

District Attorney Alexis Nash, appointed effective April 6, comes from Milwaukee County where she served as an assistant DA for over three years. She started in misdemeanors, moved to general crimes felonies, and then to the CHIPS unit working with families affected by substance abuse. She described the transition from a DA’s office with 30-50 attorneys to Price County’s three-person operation as challenging but rewarding.

“I really wanted the challenge,” Nash said. “Seeing that this was an opportunity for me to try and help bring some more structure back to this community because you didn’t have it for a while without a DA.”

She noted the office went without

She noted the office went without a DA for an extended period before her appointment.

Radio Project Remains in Limbo

Schilling reported that the county’s emergency radio communications project remains stalled, waiting on Bug Tussel to proceed. The sheriff said the department has been in contact with Motorola as a backup but is still waiting for a decision on the tower project.

“Either way, we’re 18 months to two years out,” Schilling said, placing the timeline at 2028 regardless of which direction they go. He noted that equipment decisions are consistent , it’s mainly a matter of tower count and equipment size, with fewer towers requiring larger, more expensive equipment.

Committee member Copish pressed for clarity on whether the sheriff’s equipment needs are tied specifically to Bug Tussel or would proceed regardless. Schilling confirmed the equipment needs are the same either way , only the scale changes.

Other Business

Jail population:16 inmates currently housed, one on electronic monitoring
–K9 Unit:Dixon, handled by Deputy Joel, is performing well above training expectations and will be re-certified in Michigan at the end of the month. Schilling confirmed the plan remains for Dixon to retire with Joel when the time comes.
–New hires:A new deputy starts May 18 in the FTO process, and Brandon begins recruit school with sponsorship from the department, expected to finish in September-October.
–Historic firearms:Schilling mentioned intentions to preserve the office’s two Thompson submachine guns , registered with the NFA in 1942 and acquired by the sheriff in the 1920s , as county historical artifacts rather than selling them.
–SWAT vehicle:The department remains on the 1033 program waiting list for an armored vehicle. Schilling noted they’re high priority in Wisconsin but not nationally, and previous vehicles were allocated to other jurisdictions.
–Clerk of Court:Lisa has filed non-candidacy paperwork, meaning there will be a new Clerk of Courts for 2027.

The next Law Enforcement Committee meeting is scheduled for June 4, 2026.

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*Price County Fun attended this meeting

*Price County Fun attended this meeting in person via the official YouTube recording. Meeting agendas are available atCo.price.wi.us/agendacenter. Have a tip about local government? Contact us at [email protected].*

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Price County Board of Supervisors meet?

The Price County Board of Supervisors meets the third Wednesday of each month at the Price County Courthouse in Phillips. Agendas are posted at co.price.wi.us. Meetings are open to the public per Wisconsin open meetings law.

How do I contact Price County government offices?

The Price County Courthouse is at 104 S. Eyder Avenue in Phillips, WI 54555. The main phone number is (715) 339-2300. Individual department contacts are available on the Price County website at co.price.wi.us.

Where can I find Price County meeting agendas and minutes?

Meeting agendas, minutes, and schedules are posted on the Price County website at co.price.wi.us/agendacenter. Agendas are typically posted at least 24 hours before meetings per Wisconsin open meetings law.

What services does the Price County Sheriff’s Office provide?

The Price County Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement, dispatch, jail operations, and civil process services. The office is located at the Price County Courthouse in Phillips and can be reached for non-emergencies at (715) 339-3614.

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