(A) For the purpose of discharging the duties imposed by this chapter and enforcing its provisions, the police officer, in addition to any and all other authority or power, whether the offense is committed in their presence or not and existing circumstances require immediate action, is authorized:
(1) After investigation and upon finding of sufficient probable cause may issue a notice to appear pursuant to the provisions of MCA 46-6-310, to any violator of this chapter;
(2) After investigation and upon finding of probable cause may request criminal prosecution for the violation through the city attorney;
(3) To inspect premises subject to a kennel license application, a business license for animal boarding or any premises where the owner or occupant of the premises has agreed to accept an animal to board or shelter when the animal is the subject of an investigation, impound, upon issuance of a warrant or in accordance with judicially recognized exceptions to the warrant requirement;
(4) To demand from the occupants of any premises upon, or in which, an animal is kept or harbored, the exhibition of such animal and the license for such animal;
(5) To impound an animal which has attacked a person or other animal, is otherwise reasonably believed to be dangerous, or pursuant to a cruelty investigation against the animal in which protection of the animal from further abuse is warranted or in cases where an animal is loose, injured or in need of care and may order that animal held until such time as a hearing can be held before the court to determine whether, and under what conditions, the animal should be released to the owner; and
(6) Upon order of the Ronan City Court, to destroy an animal deemed a dangerous or vicious animal.
(Ord. 2022-05, passed 10-26-2022)