(a) Who may enforce. The Executive Director, an animal control officer, the Board, and any other person authorized by regulation issued under method (2) may enforce an animal control law. In this Article, an “animal control law” includes a State animal control law, this Chapter, and, for noise from an animal source, Chapter 31B.
(b) Forms of enforcement. The Executive Director or an animal control officer may enforce an animal control law by issuing a citation or other lawful order. To exercise its authority, the Board must issue a written order that explains the factual and legal basis for the order.
(c) Types of enforcement.
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Executive Director or an animal control officer may, to enforce an animal control law or protect the health or safety of an animal, a person, or the public:
(A) seize, impound, and dispose of an animal; or
(B) take any other action necessary or order an owner to take any other action necessary to enforce the law, including ordering that a microchip be inserted into an animal.
(2) The Executive Director or an animal control officer must not destroy an animal under paragraph (1) unless:
(A) the Board has ordered the animal to be destroyed; or
(B) the Executive Director, an animal control officer, or the Board finds that destruction of the animal is necessary to prevent an immediate threat to public health or safety. If an owner requests a hearing within 5 days after the County notifies the owner of any action under this paragraph, the Board must hold a hearing after the fact on the action and may order the County to reimburse the owner for the resale value of the animal if the action was not justified; or
(C) after 5 days, the owner has not filed an appeal to the Board.
(3) A citation or order may require an owner to act or refrain from acting to prevent or stop a violation of an animal control law.
(d) Warrants. An animal control officer may enforce an animal control law by searching private property and seizing evidence or animals, under State law or a warrant issued by a court.
(e) Interference with enforcement. A person must not interfere or attempt to interfere with any County officer, employee, or agent enforcing an animal control law.
(f) Failure to follow or appeal an order. An owner who, without justification, does not follow or appeal a legal order issued under this Chapter has abandoned and forfeited to the County any animal that is the subject of the order.
(g) Concealing ownership. A person must not conceal or falsely deny ownership of an animal to any person authorized to enforce an animal control law.
(h) Board order to take action. As a result of an adjudication of a complaint or appeal, the Board may order the Executive Director or an animal control officer to take an action described in paragraph (c)(1). (1999 L.M.C., ch. 10, § 1; , § 1; 2020 L.M.C., ch. 18, §1.)
