(a) Position established. The position of Animal Control Officer is hereby established. The Animal Control Officer shall be appointed by the Mayor and shall hold his or her position at the pleasure of the Mayor. He or she may be removed at any time by the Mayor.
(b) Enforcement of chapter. This chapter shall be enforced by the Animal Control Officer.
(c) Right of entry; investigations. For the purpose of discharging the duties imposed by this chapter and to enforce its provisions, the Animal Control Officer or any police officer is authorized to enter upon any premises upon which an animal is kept or harbored and demand the exhibition by the owner of such animal or the license for such animal. It is further provided that the Animal Control Officer may enter the premises where any animal is kept in a repeatedly cruel or inhumane manner and demand to examine such animal and to take possession of such animal, when, in his or her opinion, it requires humane treatment.
(d) Interference with Animal Control Officer. No person shall interfere with, hinder or molest the Animal Control Officer in the performance of his or her duty, or seek to release any animal in the custody of the Animal Control Officer, except as herein provided.
(e) Penalty. Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree and shall be subject to the penalty provided in § 698.02.
(Ord. 21-39, passed 6-24-2021)