(a) In order to protect the health and safety of an
animal, any
animal control officer,
animal cruelty investigator appointed under G.S. 19A - 45, law enforcement officer, firefighter, or
rescue squad
worker, who has probable cause to believe that an
animal is confined in amotor vehicle under conditions that are likely to cause suffering, injury, or death to the
animal due to heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, or under other endangering conditions, may enter the motor vehicle by any reasonable means under the circumstances after making a reasonable
effort to locate the owner or other person responsible for the
animal.