WI · jury_instructions
Wis JI-Criminal 1981
Harassment of Police or Fire Animals - s.951.095 and 951.18(2m)
Statutory Definition of the Crime
Sections 951.095 and 951.18(2m) of the Criminal Code of Wisconsin are violated by
one who causes (injury) (death) to an animal that is used by a (law enforcement agency)
(fire department) to perform (agency) (department) functions by intentionally striking,
shoving, kicking, or otherwise subjecting the animal to physical contact and knows that the
animal is used by a (law enforcement agency) (fire department) to perform (agency)
(department) functions or duties.
State’s Burden of Proof
Before you may find the defendant guilty of this offense, the State must prove by
evidence which satisfies you beyond a reasonable doubt that the following four elements
were present.
Elements of the Crime That the State Must Prove
1. (Name animal) was an animal used by a (law enforcement agency) (fire
department) to perform (agency) (department) functions or duties.
2. The defendant knew that the animal was used by a (law enforcement agency) (fire
department) to perform (agency) (department) functions or duties.
3. The defendant intentionally struck, shoved, kicked, or otherwise subjected the
animal to physical contact.
“Intentionally” means that the defendant had the mental purpose to strike,
shove, kick, or otherwise subject the animal to physical contact or was aware that
his or her conduct was practically certain to cause that result.1
4. Striking, shoving, kicking, or otherwise subjecting the animal to physical contact
caused (injury) (death) to the animal.
Jury’s Decision
If you are satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that all four elements of this offense
have been proved, you should find the defendant guilty.
If you are not so satisfied, you must find the defendant not guilty.
History
Wis JI-Criminal 1981 (11/2025). Release No. 69. Wisconsin Court System, 11/2025. Prepared by the Wisconsin Criminal Jury Instructions Committee of the Wisconsin Judicial Conference with the University of Wisconsin Law School; posted by the Wisconsin State Law Library with the University's permission.
Provenance
- Source
- wilawlibrary.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-09-24
- Edition
- 2026-09-24
- Content hash
d64ac335572d9662f2da72c295fae912327792ecf7861b49b258162b32fd613f
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