(A) Any law enforcement officer or animal control officer upon receiving information or personal observation that a diseased or dangerous animal, or unlicensed, untagged dog/cat, licensed or tagged, is or has been observed to be illegally roaming at large, unattended by his owner or keeper, or is reasonably suspected of being a dangerous animal at large, shall if in fresh pursuit of such animal, follow and enter upon the owner or keeper's premises, if necessary, and impound such an animal in an established city, town, or county animal shelter. Such an animal when so captured and impounded will be kept confined, well fed, watered and cared for pending reclamation by its rightful owner/keeper. If not reclaimed within four days if unlicensed or 14 days if licensed, the animal may be adopted or humanely euthanized as the impounding office may elect.
(B) In the pursuit, capture and apprehension of any such animal as contemplated here, the officer in fresh pursuit will not be taken to have committed a trespass on any premises where he/she is required to go in pursuit of such animal, but he may not use more than reasonable force in the discharge of the duty imposed upon him by this chapter. Any person or persons interfering with or obstructing such officer in the discharge of his duties, may himself be subject to arrest and, as provided for by law, for resisting arrest or in interference with a peace officer, nor will such officer be liable in damages to anyone except for gross willful and wanton misconduct in the attempted discharge of his duty.
(C) In the event the animal being pursued is not immediately apprehended or captured and escapes the officer in fresh pursuit, such officer may continue his search until the animal is captured and taken into custody, without a search warrant, providing the officer has reason to believe such animal is on the premises where last seen. If the search is abandoned however, such officer will be required to secure a search warrant before further search on return to take up the trail of such animal.
(Ord. 2019-8, passed 3-20-19)