Dog License Check - Legality

[cybrus]

My wife mentioned to me that "they" will be going around Avalon and Bellevue making sure all dogs are licensed. Here is a brief article from the Post Gazette:
Through Aug. 6, officers with the state Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement will be canvassing Bellevue, Avalon and Ben Avon looking for dog law violations.

My question: Is it is legal for them to come to your door and do anything more than ask without a warrant?

I've tried searching google for more info and I didn't see anything in the links to PA's Dog Laws so I was hoping someone else here may have more info.

[Pa. Patriot]

My question: Is it is legal for them to come to your door and do anything more than ask without a warrant?

No. Doesn't matter what it is for outside an unfolding emergency situation.

[cybrus]

Thanks - that's what I told my wife, but it's good to know that it was right too! Reading the 41 page PDF of the Dog Law was a bit worrying - especially this part:

§ 459-401. Interference with police officer or State dog warden; duties of State dog warden; failure
to produce license certificate
(A) POLICE OFFICERS TO PERFORM DUTIES.-- It shall be unlawful for any police officer to fail or
refuse to perform his duties under the provisions of this act and to refuse to assist in the enforcement
of this law upon request of the secretary.
(B) STATE DOG WARDENS AND DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES TO BE CONSIDERED POLICE OFFICERS.--
State dog wardens and employees of the department are considered to be police officers when
enforcing any of the provisions of this act or regulations pursuant to this act.
(C) ILLEGAL TO INTERFERE.-- It shall be unlawful for any person to interfere with any officer or
employee of the department in the enforcement of this law.

I told her that if anyone came to the door, for this or for anything, you don't answer questions or let them in. Tell them that if they insist, to come back with a warrant. I also sent her a link to the two YouTube clips on not talking to the police.

[ar15jules]

Why not bring Fido to the door and show them the license?
Jules

[JayBell]

possibly because the dog is unlicensed

frankly, I think a suit should be brought to license CATs as well...no reason to license DOGS only, and cat owners should have to contribute also.

sounds like a prohibitive licensing scheme against dog owners, think of the revenue from cat licenses.

[chesire17201]

especially with some of those crazy cat people that have 30 of em runnin around there place....

[ar15jules]

I can't say that I don't disagree with that.
Jules

[Evolution]

I am sure that they would try and play mind games to scare you into letting them check your pets for licenses. Unfortunately, they don't know who they are messing with. I pity them.

[Penguini66]

For some reason, this made me think of this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTQAJgxMIuM

I don't have the time to research all of the details(so please feel free to correct me if my info is correct or not up to date) but from the best of my understanding:

--Happened in Indiana
--Sheriff did not stop a health inspector from going onto private property
--No search warrant
--He lost his case
--His property was condemned last I read

In a way, this could be very similar to what could happen if a dog law enforcement officer was to try to enter your property.

[Pa. Patriot]

Why not bring Fido to the door and show them the license?
Jules

Because that would justify their asking.

I am of the opinion that these types of voluntary fishing expeditions should not be entertained. As they condition people into thinking that they have to comply. It's an unintentional effect, but an effect nonetheless.

I typically do not volunteer info to police. Period.

The simplest encounter is the one you don't participate in.

YMMV