Wisconsin Statutes Police Regulations (Ch. 163 to 177) § 172.51. Animals distrained; proceedings

(1) The owner or occupant of any lands may distrain any beast doing damage on the premises, either while upon the premises or upon immediate pursuit of the beasts escaping from the premises and before returning to the enclosure of or to the immediate care of the owner or keeper. The person distraining the beasts may keep the beasts upon the premises or in a public pound in the person's town, city or village of residence until the person's damages are appraised.

(2) If the owner of the beasts is known to the person distraining the beasts and resides within the same county, the person distraining the beasts shall give written notice to the owner in accordance with whichever of the following applies:

(3) The notice under sub. (2) shall specify all of the following:

(4) If the owner of the beasts is unknown or does not reside in the same county as the person distraining the beasts, the person distraining the beasts shall, in accordance with sub. (3)(c), apply for the appointment of appraisers without notice and within 24 hours after distraining the beasts.

(5) Upon application, the town chairperson, village president or city mayor or manager shall appoint in writing 3 disinterested freeholders of the town, city or village to appraise the damages. The appraisers shall receive 50 cents for the appointment.