 legal?
So my 'lil suburb has started a new thing. They're going around to all homes that have dogs (they get rabies shot information from local vets, and find out addresses that way... OR they simply listen for a barking dog). Upon arrival at a home, the animal control officer asks to see the dog's license. If the owner cannot present one, a ticket for $120 is issued. Now, I have NO problem with licensing my dog. Licenses are only a few dollars and all proceeds go to local animal shelters. I licensed our's as soon as we moved here, so no worries there. I'm just wondering if what they're doing is even legal... you know, Fourth Amendment?
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Is the owning of a dog probable cause here? What do you guys think? I'm not getting all up in arms about this... just something I was thinking about over this morning's coffee. |