Any humane investigator, law enforcement officer or
animal control officer may lawfully seize and impound any animal that
has been abandoned, has been cruelly treated or is suffering from
an apparent violation of this chapter that has rendered the animal
in such a condition as to constitute a direct and immediate threat
to its life, safety or health. Before seizing or impounding any agricultural
animal, such humane investigator, law enforcement officer or animal
control officer shall contact the State Veterinarian or a State Veterinarian's
representative, who shall recommend to such person the most appropriate
action for the disposition of the agricultural animal. The humane
investigator, law enforcement officer or animal control officer shall
notify the owner of the agricultural animal and the local attorney
for the commonwealth of the recommendation. The humane investigator,
law enforcement officer or animal control officer may impound the
agricultural animal on the land where the agricultural animal is located
if:
(a)
The owner or tenant of the land where the agricultural
animal is located gives written permission;
(c)
The owner or tenant of the land where the agricultural
animal is located cannot be immediately located and it is in the best
interest of the agricultural animal to be impounded on the land where
it is located until the written permission of the owner or tenant
of the land can be obtained.