Whenever it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the provisions of or perform any duty imposed by this chapter, or whenever any law enforcement officer or animal control officer has probable 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, a law enforcement officer or animal control officer is authorized to enter such property at any reasonable time and to inspect the same and perform any duty imposed upon a law enforcement officer or animal control officer by this code or other applicable law; provided, that:
(A) If such property is occupied, he or she shall first present proper credentials to the occupant and request entry explaining the reasons therefor. If such entry is refused, the law enforcement officer or animal control officer shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure lawful entry and inspect the property, including an inspection warrant.
(B) If such property is unoccupied, he or she shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having charge or control of the property and request entry, explaining the reasons therefor. If such entry cannot be obtained because the owner or other person having charge or control of the property cannot be found after due diligence, the law enforcement officer or animal control officer shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure lawful entry and inspect the property, including an inspection warrant.
(C) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a law enforcement officer or animal control officer has probable cause to believe that the keeping or maintaining of any animal is so dangerous as to require immediate inspection to safeguard the life or safety of the animal, other animals, or the public, he or she shall have the right immediately to enter and inspect such property, and may use any reasonable means required to effect such entry and make such inspection, whether such property be occupied or unoccupied and whether or not permission to inspect has been obtained. If the property be occupied, the officer shall first present proper credentials to the occupant and demand entry, explaining the reasons therefor and purpose of the inspection.
(D) It is unlawful for any person to interfere with, hinder, fail or refuse, after proper demand has been made upon him or her, to permit any law enforcement officer or animal control officer to make any inspection provided for by division (C) of this section. (HMC § 6.13.030)
(Ord. 836, § 1 (part))