The animal control manager and staff shall be sworn to uphold, carry out and supervise the enforcement of this chapter within the city, unless otherwise provided. The animal control manager and staff shall be vested with all the powers ordinary and necessary under the law to enforce the provisions of this chapter. These duties, and powers shall specifically include, but not be limited to:

    A.    To educate the public concerning humane ethics, consequences of pet overpopulation and their responsibilities as pet owners;

    B.    To maintain the physical facility known as the Columbus Animal Control Center which shall be operated in a humane manner in accordance with the standards set forth in this chapter and established rules and regulations;

    C.    To make an annual report to the common council concerning the animal control program within the city;

    D.    To prepare and submit to the common council for approval an annual budget of funds adequate to carry out the purposes of this chapter;

    E.    The power to apprehend and impound any animal that appears to be stray or at large;

    F.    The power to apprehend and impound any animal that is on the owners property without being under physical restraint and posing an immediate physical danger to the community. Such impoundment must be preceded by written certification by a witness or by the police department. However, no animal shall be apprehended and impounded if the owner is available and capable of restraining the animal or there is other means of restraint available.

    G.    The power to apprehend and impound any animal when the animal control manager and staff have probable cause to believe that the animal has been treated cruelly, inhumanely, neglected or used by the owner/agent in a fighting contest;

    H.    The power to issue official warning or a notice of ordinance violation for violations of this chapter;

    I.    The power to enter private real property in fresh pursuit of an animal to enforce this chapter;

    J.    In performing their duties, the animal control manager and staff shall, however, be specifically prohibited from: entering a dwelling unit or secured area without the dwelling unit owner's permission or being accompanied by a uniformed law enforcement officer with a warrant authorizing the entry except when apprehending and impounding an animal pursuant to subsection G of this section; carrying firearms or making arrests of human beings. (Prior code § 4-7)