A. Citations: The officers of any humane society under contract with the city, as well as the officers of the Bettendorf police department, are authorized to issue municipal infraction citations charging violations of any provision of this chapter. The cited person shall receive a copy of the citation. The officer issuing the citation shall, as soon as practicable, file a copy of the citation with the court in which the person is required to appear.
B. Unlawful Interference: It is unlawful for any person to interfere with, hinder, wilfully prevent or attempt to prevent any police officer, animal control officer, or any person authorized by the city administrator from enforcing this chapter.
C. Inspection Procedures:
1. Whenever it becomes necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the provisions of, or to perform any duty imposed by, this chapter or other applicable law, or whenever the animal control officer or other authorized person has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises any violation of the provisions of this chapter or other applicable law, the officer is authorized to enter such property at any reasonable time and to inspect the same and perform any duty imposed upon the officer by this chapter or other applicable law.
2. If the property is occupied, the officer shall first present proper credentials to the occupant and request entry, explaining the reason entry is sought.
3. If the property is unoccupied, the officer shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person in control of the property and request entry explaining the reason therefor. If entry is refused, or the owner or person in control of the property cannot be located after due diligence, the officer shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure lawful entry and inspect the property.
D. Immediate Inspection: Notwithstanding subsection C of this section, if the animal control officer or police officer has reasonable cause to believe that the keeping or the maintenance of any animal is so hazardous, unsafe or dangerous as to require immediate inspection to safeguard the animal or the public health or safety, the officer shall have the right to immediately enter and inspect such property, and may use any reasonable means required to effect such entry and make such investigation, whether the property is occupied or unoccupied. If occupied, the officer shall first present proper identification and demand entry explaining the reasons therefor and the purpose of the inspection. (2008 Code § 5-13)