Inspectors must visit the site and produce a report for the local authority before a licence can be granted or renewed. The inspector must consider whether the conduct displayed by the applicant indicates that they are a fit and proper person to carry out the licensable activity and meet their licence conditions. Private dwellings An inspector does not have right of entry to any part of site premises used as a private dwelling, unless they give 24 hours’ notice to the occupier. The definition of a private dwelling is set out at section 62 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. They can make entry if permission is given by the occupier of the private dwelling. A warrant can be applied for under section 23 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 for entry without prior notification. Samples The inspector may choose to take samples for laboratory testing from the animals on the premises. Samples must be done properly and safely by a trained vet. They should be as non-invasive as possible. If there are concerns over the welfare of the animals, inspectors may need to do more invasive sampling. Obstruction offences The applicant must comply with any reasonable request from an inspector to identify, examine and take samples from an animal, this includes providing suitable restraints, if the inspector asks for them. It is an offence for the applicant not to comply with a local authority inspector’s request to take a sample from an animal.