§ 2328 — Entry on premises

In the performance of the duties required by this chapter, the department may at any time enter any premises or stop and detain any vehicle or conveyance. If entry shall be refused or delayed by any person, the department's employee or agent may, upon oath or affirmation, declare before a court of competent jurisdiction that the employee or agent has reason to believe that domestic animals or articles that are or have been confined or kept in or on such premises carry a dangerous transmissible disease, have been exposed to a dangerous transmissible disease or have been contaminated by a hazardous substance and shall further declare that permission to enter and to investigate has been refused or delayed to the department. Upon review of such declaration, the court of jurisdiction may issue a search warrant for such premises, directed to the proper officer, agent or employee. The search warrant shall describe the premises which may be searched under authority of the search warrant, but need not describe the domestic animal, domestic animal products or other articles which are alleged to carry a dangerous transmissible disease, to have been exposed to a dangerous transmissible disease or to have been contaminated by a hazardous substance, which are or have been confined or kept on such premises. An officer, agent or employee of the department armed with such a search warrant shall have all the authority of a constable or other peace officer in the execution of the warrant. It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse or delay admission to any premises to any officer, agent or employee of the department provided with a search warrant issued pursuant to this section. The department shall take appropriate biosecurity and safety measures to ensure that it does not allow dangerous transmissible disease or contamination from hazardous substances to spread as the result of its entry upon any premises or conveyance.