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Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Can I report my neighbor for not picking up after their dog in Milwaukee?
Between its patios and scenic trails, Milwaukee is a dog-friendly city. But these perks sometimes come with a stinky problem: abandoned pet waste. It's a messy problem, but residents don't have to step around it. There are ways to report offenders and help keep Milwaukee clean. Can you be fined for not picking up your dog's poop in Milwaukee? Yes, and it's not cheap. Whether people are walking their dogs on city streets, in a Milwaukee County park or just leaving them loose in their yard, they can be fined for not cleaning up after their pet. The fine can be up to $500 in Milwaukee, said Jeremy McGovern, spokesperson for the Department of Neighborhood Services. Homeowners who don't remove pet waste from their property can also be issued citations and reinspection fees, McGovern said. Within Milwaukee County Parks, the fine is $200.50, said Todd Pisarski, Milwaukee County Park's manager of safety, security and training. But park rangers typically ask visitors to pick up the waste before issuing them a ticket, he said. "We prioritize education and stewardship of the parks before issuing citations," Pisarski said. How do I report someone for not picking up after their pet? In the city, you can call the Department of Neighborhood Services at 414-286-2543 or file a complaint online. If you see this happen at a Milwaukee County park, you can call the general ranger at 414-257-7777. Pisarski noted that enforcement can be difficult if a park employee or ranger didn't witness the incident themselves. Nonetheless, it's still helpful to report the issue to the county. The county uses these calls to target patrol efforts, Pisarski said. If you feel comfortable, it's not a bad idea to gently ask someone to pick up after their pet, he added. "We certainly could use everyone's help," Pisarski said. "They could carefully advise them that picking up after their pets is part of the Milwaukee County Park rules and local ordinance." McGovern, on the other hand, recommended avoiding confrontation. He said to collect photo or video evidence and report it to the Department of Neighborhood Services. Can I get a reward for reporting people who don't clean up after their pets? Milwaukee offers a $1,000 reward for those who report illegal dumpers, but reporting pet waste isn't eligible for the reward, McGovern said. Milwaukee County doesn't offer a reward program, either. I heard that dog poop is good for the environment. Is that true? No, dog feces is a health and environmental risk. Wildlife feces is beneficial because it returns the nutrients the animals ate from the ecosystem back to the environment. Pets, on the other hand, have commercial diets that introduce nitrogen and phosphorus to the environment, according to Leave No Trace, a nonprofit that aims to protect the outdoors. Dog feces may also carry bacteria and parasites that can transmit to other dogs and humans. The feces can also wash into storm drains, lagoons and rivers, Pisarski said. "With so many positive activities taking place in our parks, responsible pet ownership is a key part of keeping them clean and enjoyable for everyone," Pisarski said. "And of course, stepping in dog feces is a very unpleasant experience for park users." Tell us: Do you frequently see dog poop in your neighborhood? What other questions do you have about this topic? Reach Public Investigator reporter Gina Castro at gcastro@ or fill out the form below. Contact Public Investigator Government corruption. Corporate wrongdoing. Consumer complaints. Medical scams. Public Investigator is a new initiative of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and its sister newsrooms across Wisconsin. Our team wants to hear your tips, chase the leads and uncover the truth. We'll investigate anywhere in Wisconsin. Send your tips to publicinvestigator@ or call 414-319-9061. You can also submit tips at This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Is it illegal not to clean up after your dog in Milwaukee? Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Milwaukee man pleads guilty to mistreating dozens of dogs — and causing their death
A Milwaukee man pled guilty this week to five counts of fatal animal mistreatment at a court hearing attended by dozens of animal rights activists. Michael Ellis, who turned himself in to police in September 2024 as city agencies investigated his former home for signs of animal cruelty, has been accused of killing over 50 dogs. On June 9, he took a plea deal, through which prosecutors promised not to press charges related to any new information that may come to light through the ongoing probe into dozens of animals found dead or in critical condition at the scene. Jessica Lopez, an animal advocacy volunteer, attended Ellis's hearing after seeing a Facebook post from the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission, or MADACC, about the court date. For advocates seated in the courtroom, Ellis's guilty plea felt like "validation," Lopez said. "I felt emotional," Lopez said, describing the moment in which Ellis pleaded guilty at the hearing. "I felt like something might actually be done, and that he may actually serve time." In August 2024, authorities began investigating a North Teutonia Avenue home, then city-owned and under consideration for demolition, for animal cruelty after the Department of Neighborhood Services discovered more than 30 dead dogs during a tax foreclosure visit. The inspectors also recovered 11 dead reptiles and two dead birds, as well as 10 living reptiles and three dogs in critical condition. Milwaukee Police reported they had also found firearms on the property. An animal nuisance complaint from 2023 identifies Ellis as the former owner of the house. The August 2024 investigation into Ellis's home marked the first major animal abuse investigation in Milwaukee in years. In the ensuing weeks, inspectors unearthed 53 dog corpses across the house's basement and first floor. A necropsy on one of the dogs indicated it had died from starvation. The head of the animal control commission hypothesized that the animal remains found in the house were evidence of an underground dog-breeding operation. In a September interview with detectives, referenced in the criminal complaint, Ellis admitted he had hoarded dogs following his divorce. He said he had struggled to keep up with their care, but that he was "embarrassed" to seek outside help. Ellis's sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 31. The maximum combined penalty for the five counts of mistreating an animal and causing its death — a felony charge — is $50,000 in fines, seven years and six months in prison and 10 years on parole. Lopez, the MADACC volunteer, plans to write a letter to the judge recommending that Ellis receives the maximum sentence for the convictions. She believes that such letters can make a difference — at the June 9 hearing, the judge mentioned having received several. Prosecutors are expected to ask that Ellis serves three years in prison followed by five years of supervision as part of the plea deal agreement, according to MADACC. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee man pleads guilty to mistreating, killing dozens of dogs
