(a) A person who believes that cruelty to animals has taken place or is taking place may file a complaint with a public or private animal control agency or organization, the department, or a peace officer. An agency or organization or the department may refer the complaint to a peace officer.
(b) A peace officer who receives a complaint of animal cruelty may apply for a search warrant under AS 12.35 to the judicial officer in the judicial district in which the alleged violation has taken place or is taking place. If the court finds that probable cause exists, the court shall issue a search warrant directing a peace officer to proceed immediately to the location of the alleged violation, search the place designated in the warrant, and, if warranted, seize property, including animals, specified in the warrant. The warrant shall be executed by the peace officer and returned to the court.
(c) Before a peace officer may seize an animal and place it into protective custody, the peace officer shall request an immediate inspection and decision by a veterinarian licensed under AS 08.98 that placement into protective custody is in the immediate best interest of the animal. If a veterinarian is not available and willing to perform an inspection, before a peace officer may seize an animal, the peace officer shall communicate with a veterinarian who has, after hearing a description of the condition of the animal and its environment, decided it is in the immediate best interest of the animal that it be placed into protective custody. If the peace officer is not able to communicate with a veterinarian, before the officer may seize an animal, the officer shall decide it is in the immediate best interest of the animal that it be placed into protective custody.
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