Hello,

I’m reaching out to ask for your support on something very personal and deeply important to me.

Harley was our Cane Corso. He was just two and a half years old. He was healthy, loved, and trusted the professionals caring for him — just as we did. Harley died due to veterinary malpractice, and in the aftermath, we discovered something devastating: Wisconsin law is unclear and limited when pets are harmed by negligent professional care.

There were no clear standards written into law.

No clear accountability.

And no clear protection for pets like Harley.

That is why we started Harley’s Law.

Harley’s Law is a proposal to modernize Wisconsin’s animal protection laws by aligning them with clearer standards already used in other states. It would:

• Recognize pets and animals under human care as sentient beings, not just property • Clearly define duties of care, including food, water, shelter, and medical treatment • Strengthen and clarify neglect and cruelty laws • Protect pets placed in veterinary, sanctuary, and professional care • Clarify veterinary malpractice standards when accepted standards of care are violated

This effort is not about punishment or blame. It does not target ethical veterinarians or accepted practices. It is about clarity, fairness, and preventing other families from experiencing this pain.

Harley can’t be saved — but others can.

We would be incredibly grateful if you would take a moment to read & sign the petition in support of Harley’s Law.

Petition Summary: Protecting Animals & Clarifying Veterinary Accountability in Wisconsin

What this petition is about

This petition asks Wisconsin lawmakers to update and strengthen animal protection laws by aligning them with clearer standards already used in states like Utah, while also clarifying accountability when animals are harmed by negligent professional care.

 
Why this matters

Wisconsin’s animal cruelty laws are broad but lack clear definitions, which can lead to inconsistent enforcement.
Sanctuary and rescue animals are not clearly named or protected in current statutes.
When a veterinarian or licensed animal care professional seriously harms or kills an animal through negligence, Wisconsin law is unclear about how owners can seek justice.
This petition supports animal welfare, responsible professional care, and fair legal clarity — without punishing ethical veterinarians or sanctuaries.

 
What the petition asks lawmakers to do

1. Clearly define animal neglect and cruelty

The proposal asks Wisconsin to adopt clearer definitions (used successfully in Utah) for:

Abandonment
Neglect
Necessary food, water, care, and shelter
Degrees of cruelty (including aggravated cruelty)
Clear definitions help law enforcement, courts, and animal owners understand the law.

 
2. Explicitly protect sanctuary and rescue animals

The petition asks lawmakers to:

Recognize sanctuary and rescue animals in the law
Ensure they receive the same legal protections as other animals
Protect legitimate sanctuaries acting in good faith from unfair liability
 
3. Clarify veterinary malpractice

The petition asks Wisconsin to:

Clearly recognize veterinary malpractice as a legal claim
Hold licensed animal care professionals accountable only when they fail to meet accepted professional standards
Allow owners to recover economic damages (such as medical costs or replacement value) when negligence is proven
⚖️ Important:
This proposal does not:

Criminalize veterinarians for good-faith care
Allow emotional distress lawsuits
Punish accepted veterinary practices with informed consent
It simply clarifies accountability when negligence occurs.

 
What this petition does NOT do

Does not ban hunting, farming, or wildlife management
Does not interfere with humane euthanasia
Does not target ethical veterinarians or rescue workers
 
Bottom line

This petition supports:

Clearer, fairer animal protection laws
Stronger safeguards for sanctuary and rescue animals
Transparency and accountability in professional animal care
Signing this petition asks Wisconsin lawmakers to modernize the law, protect animals, and give clarity to both animal owners and professionals.

Thank you for your time, compassion, and support.

With gratitude,

Becky & Kevin 

P.S. Losing Harley changed our lives forever. If his story moves you even a little, please take a moment to sign and help protect another family’s beloved pet.