Statue of Henry Bergh

The statue depicts Henry Bergh, founder of the ASPCA, standing with a cane and reaching down to pet a dog whose paw is wrapped in a bandage. This 9-foot-tall bronze figure rests on a granite base and sits at the Wisconsin Humane Society building on West Wisconsin Avenue.

Sculptor James H. Mahoney created the bronze work in 1891 to mark 25 years since the founding of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. A commemorative plaque was added decades later to recognize the enduring impact of that organization.

The statue marks a moment when American society began to value animal welfare as an important cause. It stands at a place that continues this mission today, linking past advocacy to ongoing efforts to protect animals.

The monument sits outside the Wisconsin Humane Society building on West Wisconsin Avenue and is easy to locate and view from the street. You can see and photograph the statue at any time since it stands in an open area.

The granite base carries marks from the American Bronze Company that identify the foundry that cast the work. These casting details are easy to miss but reveal important information about the creation of the statue.

Location: Milwaukee

Inception: 1891

Creator: James H. Mahoney

Made from material: bronze

GPS coordinates: 43.03899,-87.96948

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:12