(A) Inspections.
(1) 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 Bureau has probable cause to believe that there exists any building or upon any premises any violation of this chapter or other applicable law, the employees of the Bureau are empowered to enter and inspect the 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:
(a) If the property is occupied, the employee of the Bureau shall first present credentials to the occupant and request entry, explaining the reasons therefor;
(b) If the property is unoccupied, the employee of the Bureau shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having control of the property, present proper credentials and request entry, explaining the reasons therefor; and
(c) If 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 Bureau 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 one exists.
(2) Notwithstanding any other section of this chapter, an employee of the Bureau shall have the authority to enter upon any land to enforce this chapter or other applicable law if a violation of the law is being committed in the presence of the employee and the entrance is otherwise consistent with the Constitution of the United States. Such entry upon private property shall not be deemed to be a trespass.
(B) Interference. It shall be unlawful for any person to interfere with, hinder, molest, resist or obstruct employees of the Bureau while they are carrying out any duty created under this chapter or other applicable law.
(C) Concealment of animal. It shall be unlawful for any person to conceal, for the purpose of evading the licensing requirement, permit requirement or rabies inoculation requirement of this chapter or any applicable chapter, any unlicensed, uninoculated or unpermitted animal from any employee of the Bureau.
(D) Concealment of license, permit or rabies inoculation. It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to show proof of a license, permit or a rabies inoculation to any employee of the Bureau upon request.
(1995 Code, § 10-27) (Ord. 2005-02, passed - -2005) Penalty, see § 10.99