§ 10-110. Animal enforcement officers.

(a) "Animal enforcement officer" defined.

In this section, "animal enforcement officer" means any person:

(1) designated by the Commissioner as an animal enforcement officer; and

(2) appointed by the Police Commissioner under City Code Article 19, § 71-1 for the purpose of enforcing the animal control and protection laws, rules, and regulations of this City and State.

(b) General duties.

Animal enforcement officers are authorized and empowered to:

(1) enforce this title by impounding animals found at large, animals injured, ill, or neglected, or found to be diseased;

(2) enforce the license, permit, and inoculation requirements of this title;

(3) enforce the cruelty and neglect provisions of this title by removing and impounding mistreated animals;

(4) administer emergency assistance to injured animals that come into the custody of the City, without need to obtain the consent of the owners or custodians of the animals;

(5) in accordance with § 10-108 of this subtitle, conduct inspections of animal facilities and private residences, as directed by the Commissioner;

(6) issue citations to persons who are in violation of this title; and

(7) enforce any requirements of the animal control and protection laws, rules, and regulations of this City and, as authorized by State law, of this State.

(c) Orders to owners, custodians.

An animal enforcement officer may direct an owner or custodian to:

(1) provide veterinary examination and treatment of an animal;

(2) abate conditions that adversely affect the health and well-being of an animal, including the use or provision of:

(i) protection from the elements;

(ii) protection from hazardous conditions;

(iii) methods of restraint or confinement;

(iv) wholesome food and potable water; and

(v) sanitary conditions; and

(3) properly comply with any other provision of this title.

(d) Authority to enter premises.

An animal enforcement officer must comply with the requirements of § 2-107 {"Right of entry"} of this article and § 104.6 {"Right of entry"} of the Building Code when entering any land, structure, or premises in the City.

(e) Inspection of commercial establishments.

(1) A commercial establishment may not refuse an inspection authorized by § 10-108 of this subtitle.

(2) Animal enforcement officers are authorized to inspect commercial establishments:

(i) to determine if the establishment is operating in compliance with its license or permit requirements;

(ii) to determine that all animals are being treated and kept in compliance with the establishment's license or permit requirements;

(iii) to determine that all animals within the facility are being treated and kept in compliance with this title; or

(iv) when responding to a complaint that:

A. an animal is being treated inhumanely or in violation of this title;

B. the facility is being maintained in an unsanitary manner; or

C. animals are being kept or the establishment is being maintained in violation of any provision of this title.

(f) Animal subjected to cruelty or neglect.

(1) If the Commissioner determines that an animal is being subjected to cruelty or neglect, the animal enforcement officer may refer the matter to the State Attorney's office for prosecution.

(2) In addition, the Health Commissioner may refer the matter for further criminal investigation to the police officer in the Chief of Patrol's Office who has been designated by the Police Commissioner as the Police Department's Animal Cruelty Liaison to the Office.