State Ex Rel. Schultz v. Wellens

Cindy Schultz and the Wisconsin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (WSPCA) appeal from the trial court judgment quashing their petition for an alternative writ of mandamus that had sought to compel the Wisconsin Humane Society and its executive director, Victoria Wellens, to disclose public records of dog impoundment and disposition. Because we conclude that "public record[s]" of dog impoundment and disposition under § 174.046(4), Stats., must be made available for disclosure to the public, we reverse.

On May 8, 1995, the WSPCA submitted an open records request under § 19.35,…