Chapter ATCP 15

ATCP 15.04(4)(c) (c) Thirty-two hours of continuing education are required to renew certification except if the previous biennium was the initial certification biennium. Certification may not be renewed until the continuing education requirement is met. Continuing education hours may only be applied to fulfill requirements for one certification renewal.

ATCP 15.04 Note Note: For example, continuing education hours taken in 2014 to fulfill the requirement for 32 hours to renew a certification for the 2014-2015 certification biennium may not be used as hours towards the 2016-2017 renewal requirement.

ATCP 15.04(5) (5) Notifications of changes. During the certification biennium, a certified humane officer shall notify the department of any change of name, address, or phone number within 30 days of that change.

ATCP 15.04 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1999, No. 527, eff. 12-1-99; CR 11-048: am. (2) (c), cr. (2) (e), (3) (c), (4), (5) Register July 2012 No. 679, eff. 8-1-12.

ATCP 15.06 ATCP 15.06 Initial training.

ATCP 15.06(1) (1) Training required. Except as provided in sub. (2), a person shall complete an initial training program before taking the examination under s. ATCP 15.08.

ATCP 15.06(2) (2) Training exemptions. Subsection (1) does not apply to any of the following persons, unless that person has previously failed an examination under s. ATCP 15.08:

ATCP 15.06(2)(a) (a) A person employed as a humane officer in Wisconsin before December 1, 1999.

ATCP 15.06(2)(b) (b) A veterinarian.

ATCP 15.06(2)(c) (c) A person who has served as a humane officer in another state.

ATCP 15.06(3) (3) Training program; general. The department shall sponsor the initial training program under sub. (1) or shall pre-approve that training program in accordance with sub. (6). The training program shall include animal husbandry and care training under sub. (4) and legal and investigative training under sub. (5). The department may charge a fee to cover the cost of a training program which it sponsors.

ATCP 15.06(4) (4) Animal husbandry and care training.

ATCP 15.06(4)(a) (a) An initial training program shall include at least 16 hours of animal husbandry and care training. This shall include all the following:

ATCP 15.06(4)(a)1. 1. Training related to farm animals. A portion of the training shall be on-site practical training at a farm location.

ATCP 15.06(4)(a)2. 2. Training related to domestic non-farm animals.

ATCP 15.06(4)(a)3. 3. Training related to exotic animals, pet stores, animal collectors, or other relevant animal care issues.

ATCP 15.06(4)(b) (b) The training required under par. (a) shall include topics such as the following:

ATCP 15.06(4)(b)1. 1. Common animal husbandry practices.

ATCP 15.06(4)(b)2. 2. Nutrition and health basics, including body conditioning scoring.

ATCP 15.06(4)(b)3. 3. Facilities and biosecurity.

ATCP 15.06(4)(b)4. 4. Animal behavior, personal and animal safety, and animal handling and related equipment.

ATCP 15.06(5) (5) Legal and investigative training. An initial training program shall include at least 24 hours of legal and investigative training, including all the following:

ATCP 15.06(5)(a) (a) Training related to the legal system, the role of the animal cruelty investigator, Wisconsin laws related to animals, and other applicable laws.

ATCP 15.06(5)(b) (b) Training related to the rules of evidence, and the collection and preservation of evidence.

ATCP 15.06(5)(c) (c) Training related to interview and interrogation techniques, investigative stages and courtroom testimony.

ATCP 15.06(5)(d) (d) Training related to search and seizure, and photographing, videotaping, or sketching the investigation scene.

ATCP 15.06(5)(e) (e) Training related to report writing.

ATCP 15.06(5)(f) (f) Training related to crisis intervention, humane officer safety, and civil liability.

ATCP 15.06(6) (6) Training programs; approval.

ATCP 15.06(6)(a) (a) The department may approve an initial training program at the request of the program sponsor. The sponsor shall submit the request in writing and shall include all the following:

ATCP 15.06(6)(a)1. 1. A detailed program outline showing the topics covered, the number of hours devoted to each topic, and the content of each topic.

ATCP 15.06(6)(a)2. 2. The identity and credentials of the program instructors.

ATCP 15.06(6)(a)3. 3. The training locations, including the location of any on-site farm training.

ATCP 15.06(6)(a)4. 4. A copy of the certificate the sponsor will present to persons who successfully complete the course, and the name of each person authorized to sign the certificate on behalf of the sponsor.

ATCP 15.06(6)(b) (b) The department shall approve or disapprove an initial training program within 30 days after it receives all of the information under par. (a). The department shall disapprove a training program that fails to comply with applicable requirements under this section.

ATCP 15.06 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1999, No. 527, eff. 12-1-99; CR 11-048: am. (4) (a) 1. to 3., (5) (a) to (f) Register July 2012 No. 679, eff. 8-1-12.

ATCP 15.08 ATCP 15.08 Initial examination.

ATCP 15.08(1) (1) Exam required. The department may not certify any person as a humane officer unless that person passes an examination administered by the department. No examination is required for the timely renewal of an expired certification that is submitted within the biennium after the certification’s expiration.

ATCP 15.08(2) (2) Applying to take exam. A person may apply to the department to take an examination under sub. (1). The person shall apply on a form provided by the department and shall include all the following:

ATCP 15.08(2)(a) (a) The person’s name, address and telephone number.

ATCP 15.08(2)(b) (b) A $25 nonrefundable examination fee.

ATCP 15.08(2)(c) (c) The dates, if any, on which the person has previously taken the examination.

ATCP 15.08(2)(d) (d) Documentation required under sub. (3).

ATCP 15.08 Note Note: You may obtain an exam application form from the department at the following address:

ATCP 15.08 Note Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Animal Health Division, P. O. Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708-8911, Phone [phone]

ATCP 15.08(3) (3) Exam eligibility. A person applying to take an examination under sub. (2) shall document in writing one of the following:

ATCP 15.08(3)(a) (a) That the person has completed the initial training required under s. ATCP 15.06 (1). The person shall include the title and sponsor of the initial training program, and the dates on which the person attended the initial training program.

ATCP 15.08(3)(b) (b) That the person qualifies for the training exemption under s. ATCP 15.06 (2).

ATCP 15.08(4) (4) Exam contents. An examination under sub. (1) shall test knowledge in all the following areas:

ATCP 15.08(4)(a) (a) Animal husbandry and care practices.

ATCP 15.08(4)(b) (b) Applicable laws and investigative procedures.

ATCP 15.08(5) (5) Passing score. To pass an examination under sub. (1), a person shall achieve a passing score on each exam portion identified in sub. (4).

ATCP 15.08(6) (6) Retaking examination.

ATCP 15.08(6)(a) (a) A person initially exempt from training under s. ATCP 15.06 (2) may not retake an examination under sub. (1) unless that person first completes the initial training program under s. ATCP 15.06.

ATCP 15.08(6)(b) (b) A person who twice fails an examination under sub. (1) may not retake the examination unless the person first retakes the training under s. ATCP 15.06.

ATCP 15.08(6)(c) (c) A person who applies to renew certification more than 2 years after the certification has expired shall do both of the following:

ATCP 15.08(6)(c)1. 1. Complete the training under s. ATCP 15.06.

ATCP 15.08(6)(c)2. 2. Pass the examination under sub. (1).

ATCP 15.08 Note Note: A person who applies pursuant to the requirements of par. (c) is not subject to the late fee under s. ATCP 15.04 (2) (e).

ATCP 15.08 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1999, No. 527, eff. 12-1-99; CR 11-048: am. (1), (2) (b), (6) (b), cr. (6) (c) Register July 2012 No. 679, eff. 8-1-12.

ATCP 15.10 ATCP 15.10 Humane officer appointment or termination; report. A political subdivision shall notify the department in writing whenever the political subdivision appoints or terminates a humane officer. The political subdivision shall give the notice within 30 days after the appointment or termination occurs. The notice shall include all the following:

ATCP 15.10(1) (1) The identity of the political subdivision.

ATCP 15.10(2) (2) The name and address of the humane officer.

ATCP 15.10(3) (3) The humane officer’s certification number if the humane officer is currently certified under this chapter.

ATCP 15.10(4) (4) The date of the appointment or termination.

ATCP 15.10 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1999, No. 527, eff. 12-1-99.