§ 12-1-108. ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS.

(a)

Authority to enter premises. Subject to subsection (b) of this section, an animal control officer or a Baltimore County Police Officer may enter on any property if the animal control officer or police officer has probable cause to believe that entry is necessary for the purpose of discharging the duties imposed on the animal control officer by the Health Officer and under this article, including for the purpose of impoundment under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of this article.

(b)

Warrant. Absent exigent circumstances, subject to approval of the Health Officer, an animal control officer or police officer may request the Office of Law to seek in a court of competent jurisdiction a search and seizure warrant to allow entry into any private building or other enclosure subject to appropriate legal procedure and limitations.

(c)

Due process. Nothing in this section may be construed to permit the entry into a private building or other enclosure without due process of law.

(1988 Code, § 6-3) (Bill No. 3-00, § 4, 7-1-2004; Bill No. 63-01, § 1, 8-10-2001; Bill No. 72-03, § 24, 7-1-2004; Bill No. 68-13, § 1, 12-29-2013; Bill No. 23-18 , § 1, 4-30-2018)