<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 3-7. - Inspections; interference; concealment.</div>
<div class="chunk-content">
            <p class="incr0">
               (a)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">Inspections.</span> Whenever it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the sections of
               this chapter or other applicable law, or whenever an employee of the department has
               probable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises any
               violation of this chapter or other applicable law, the employees of the department
               are empowered to enter and inspect such property at any reasonable time and perform
               any duty imposed upon them by this chapter or other applicable law, but only if the
               consent of the occupant or owner of the property is freely given or an administrative
               search warrant or criminal search warrant is obtained, or if legally recognized exigent
               circumstances exist, as follows:
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (1)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               If such property is occupied, the employee of the department shall first present credentials
               to the occupant and request entry, explaining the reasons therefor;
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (2)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               If such property is unoccupied, the employee of the department shall first make a
               reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person(s) having control of the property,
               present proper credentials, and request entry, explaining the reasons therefor; and
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (3)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               If such entry is refused or cannot be obtained because the owner or other person having
               control or charge of the property cannot be found after due diligence, an employee
               of the department may obtain an appropriate warrant to conduct a search or inspection
               of the property or seizure on the property or may act under a legally recognized exigent
               circumstance, if such exists.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="p0">
               Notwithstanding any other section of this chapter, an employee of the department shall
               have the authority to enter upon any land to enforce this chapter or other applicable
               law if a violation of such law is being committed in the presence of the employee
               and such entrance is otherwise consistent with the Constitution of the United States.
               Such entry upon private property shall not be deemed to be a trespass.
               </p>
            <p class="incr0">
               (b)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               It shall be unlawful for any person to interfere with, resist, or obstruct the animal
               services director, animal services employees, or animal services officers while they
               are carrying out any duty created under this chapter or other applicable law, or when
               they are engaged in capturing or impounding any animal under the authority of this
               chapter. This also includes, but is not limited to, the following:
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (1)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               No person may remove or release any animal from the animal shelter, animal services
               vehicles, county animal traps, or from any other official custody without first obtaining
               permission to do so from the animal services director.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (2)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               No person may tamper with any county-owned or county-operated live animal trap. "Tampering"
               means removal or destruction of bait(s), tripping the door closure mechanism, obstructing
               the entryway so as to prevent animals from entering the trap, or the physical removal
               of the trap from its position.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (3)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               No person may remove from the animal shelter or any veterinary hospital, or from any
               other place, any animal which has been quarantined, without the consent of the animal
               services director.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (4)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               No person shall knowingly provide false information on any license application, adoption
               or euthanasia agreement, surrender or boarding agreement, citation, or any other official
               document being executed pursuant to this title.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (5)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               No person shall conceal any animal for the purpose of evading any federal, state,
               or local law.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (6)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               No person shall refuse to show proof of a license, permit, or a rabies inoculation
               to any employee of the department upon request.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="historynote0">
               (Ord. Of 9-21-21(2); Ord. No. 2022-03, 3-15-22)
               </p></div>