Section ATCP 15.06 - Initial training(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.(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: (a) A person employed as a humane officer in Wisconsin before December 1, 1999.(c) A person who has served as a humane officer in another state.(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. (4) ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND CARE TRAINING. (a) An initial training program shall include at least 16 hours of animal husbandry and care training. This shall include all the following: 1. Training related to farm animals. A portion of the training shall be on-site practical training at a farm location.2. Training related to domestic non-farm animals.3. Training related to exotic animals, pet stores, animal collectors, or other relevant animal care issues.(b) The training required under par. (a) shall include topics such as the following:1. Common animal husbandry practices.2. Nutrition and health basics, including body conditioning scoring.3. Facilities and biosecurity.4. Animal behavior, personal and animal safety, and animal handling and related equipment.(5) LEGAL AND INVESTIGATIVE TRAINING. An initial training program shall include at least 24 hours of legal and investigative training, including all the following: (a) Training related to the legal system, the role of the animal cruelty investigator, Wisconsin laws related to animals, and other applicable laws.(b) Training related to the rules of evidence, and the collection and preservation of evidence.(c) Training related to interview and interrogation techniques, investigative stages and courtroom testimony.(d) Training related to search and seizure, and photographing, videotaping, or sketching the investigation scene.(e) Training related to report writing.(f) Training related to crisis intervention, humane officer safety, and civil liability.(6) TRAINING PROGRAMS; APPROVAL.(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: 1. A detailed program outline showing the topics covered, the number of hours devoted to each topic, and the content of each topic.2. The identity and credentials of the program instructors.3. The training locations, including the location of any on-site farm training.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.(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. Wis. Admin. Code Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection ATCP 15.06
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.