The following shall be prohibited:
A. 
Possessing over twelve (12) companion animals;
B. 
Failing to provide necessary nutrition to the companion animals;
C. 
Failing to shelter the companion animals in a sanitary environment;
D. 
Failing to provide necessary veterinary care to the companion animals; and
E. 
Displaying a disregard for conditions under which the companion animals are living.
(Ordinance 11-19 adopted 2011)
A. 
No person shall keep or harbor on any private or public property within the municipal boundary of the town any wild or exotic animal of a species that in its natural state is dangerous or ferocious.
B. 
This section shall not apply to municipal zoos and aquarium facilities, veterinary facilities, or individuals holding a State of New Mexico wildlife rehabilitation or educational use permit.
(Ordinance 11-19 adopted 2011)
A. 
No person shall own, harbor, keep, sell, offer for sale, or freely give any “canine hybrid”, as defined in this title, within the municipal boundary of the town.
B. 
Any person who lawfully holds or keeps a “canine hybrid” as defined by this title prior to the effective date hereof may maintain that individual animal until its death subject to appropriate confinement requirements.
(Ordinance 11-19 adopted 2011)
It is unlawful for any person to confine any bird unless provisions are made for the proper feeding and the furnishing of water to such birds at intervals not longer than forty-eight (48) hours. No person shall confine any bird in a crate, box, or other enclosure that does not permit each bird confined therein to stand in a naturally erect position.
(Ordinance 11-19 adopted 2011)
Domestic livestock shall be subject to all provisions provided by New Mexico Statutes Annotated, 1978, sections 77-1-1 through 77-18-4, 2005.
(Ordinance 11-19 adopted 2011)
A. 
It is unlawful for a person to recklessly, willfully, or maliciously kill, maim, disfigure, or torture; beat with a stick, chain, club or other object; mutilate, burn or scald with any substance; overwork, torment, harass; poison or otherwise cruelly harm any animal, except that reasonable force may be used to drive off vicious or dangerous animals. When a law enforcement officer or animal control officer has probable cause to believe that an animal has been cruelly treated, the officer may impound the animal for its protection pending appropriate court proceedings.
B. 
It is unlawful for a person to abandon or fail to provide necessary sustenance to any animal under that person’s custody or control, including nutritious food, potable water, and access to adequate shade and shelter, as well as veterinary care for rabies vaccination and serious injuries or illnesses.
C. 
It is unlawful for any person to tease, harass, annoy, disturb, molest, threaten, or hit any animal which is on the property of its owner, or under the control of its owner.
D. 
It is unlawful for any person to entice or lure any animal out of an enclosure or off the property of its owner or caretaker or to seize any animal while the animal is on the property of its owner or caretaker, except a law enforcement officer or animal control officer, in the otherwise lawful performances of his/her duties.
E. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing prohibition, it shall not be violation of this title:
1. 
To use reasonable force to protect a person or animal from death or injury due to an attack by another animal or vermin; a person should be able to ward off such an attack even if the animal is not trespassing (e.g., if both are on public sidewalk);
2. 
To eradicate or destroy vermin;
3. 
For the owner of an animal to have the animal humanely destroyed;
4. 
For a law enforcement officer or veterinarian to humanely destroy an animal in an emergency situation when such destruction is reasonably required to protect public health and safety, to relieve the suffering of a mortally wounded or injured animal, or when destruction is allowed by state law. There shall be no liability by the law enforcement officer or the veterinarian for such acts;
5. 
To engage in legal hunting practices as allowed by state wildlife authorities.
(Ordinance 11-19 adopted 2011)
No person, other than an animal control officer or licensed facility to which the animal control officer delivers an animal for protective custody or authorized euthanasia, shall retain possession of any animal which is not his/her property without the consent of the animal’s owner, if there is evidence of ownership, or retain possession of any animal for more than twenty-four (24) hours without reporting the possession of such animal to an animal control officer. Such a person shall provide his name, address, and telephone number if available, location of the animal, and a true and complete statement of the circumstances under which the animal came into his/her possession.
(Ordinance 11-19 adopted 2011)
No person shall abandon or leave behind an animal at their residence when they move.
(Ordinance 11-19 adopted 2011)
A. 
Disturbing the peace.
1. 
Title 8, chapter 8.24, “Noise Control”, of this code shall apply to the keeping of animals. It is unlawful for any person to allow any animal to persistently or continuously bark, howl, or make other disturbing noise, or otherwise unreasonably disturb the peace and quiet of the inhabitants of the town or to keep or maintain any animal in any manner such as to disturb the general peace and quiet, disturb by unreasonably noxious or offensive odors, or otherwise endanger the general health, safety, or welfare of the inhabitants of the town. This provision shall not apply to livestock.
2. 
Private criminal complaints may be filed in the municipal court by a town law enforcement officer upon a complaint received by a citizen for which there is probable cause of an animal disturbing the peace. All complaints filed pursuant to this section shall be in writing, giving the name and address of the person(s) permitting the nuisance to occur and continue and a description of the circumstances which allegedly constitute a violation of this section.
3. 
All law enforcement officers and the animal control officer have authority to enforce this section and may issue a citation for violation of this section. Notice shall include the name, address and phone number (if available) of the complainant, and all witnesses to the violation of this section. If the violation of this section is witnessed by an officer, that officer may become the complainant and the officer’s name shall appear as a witness. Penalties for any violation for this section shall be established in the schedule of fees.
B. 
Defecation/urination.
1. 
No owner of any animal shall allow a dog or cat to defecate upon public property or upon any private property other than the property of the animal’s owner without thoroughly removing and disposing of the feces.
(Ordinance 11-19 adopted 2011)
A. 
No person shall promote, stage, hold, manage, conduct, train for, carry on, or attend any game, exhibition, contest or fight in which any animal participates for the purpose of injuring, killing, maiming or destroying itself or any other animal.
B. 
No person shall own, possess, rear, breed, train, buy, sell, transport, or advertise or otherwise offer to sell any fighting cock, fighting dog, or other fighting animal.
C. 
It is unlawful to own, equip, or sponsor an animal for the purpose of having it participate in animal fighting, including for purposes of monetary gain or entertainment.
D. 
No person shall provoke or entice an animal from the property of its owner or keeper for the purpose of engaging the animal in an animal fight.
(Ordinance 11-19 adopted 2011)
No person shall give or make accessible to any animal, with the intent to cause harm or death, any substance which contains, has been treated with, or has been prepared with a harmful poisonous substance. Such poisoning shall constitute extreme cruelty to an animal. This section does not apply to the placement of such substances in order to control vermin, i.e., rats, mice, moles/gophers, which are a threat to public health, nor does it apply to the use of substances for the humane destruction of animals in accordance with the provisions of this title.
(Ordinance 11-19 adopted 2011)
A. 
Animal exhibits.
No person shall operate, conduct, or maintain any “animal exhibit” as defined in this title, permanent or temporary, without first having obtained a valid town business license. Any such activity must also comply with all state laws.
B. 
Companion animals.
An owner who breeds more than four (4) litters a year of companion animals and does not have a current hobby breeder’s permit shall purchase a valid hobby breeder’s permit prior to the sale and display of animals.
C. 
Pet stores.
Pet stores shall not sell companion animals or wild animals.
(Ordinance 11-19 adopted 2011)
A. 
Public access.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no qualified service animal shall be denied admittance to any building, facility, or accommodation open to the general public, including, but not limited to, restaurants, hotels, motels, hospitals, clinics, swimming pools, stores, common carriers, and theaters, provided that the qualified service animal is under the immediate control of a person who is sight impaired, hearing impaired, or mobility impaired.
B. 
Interference.
No person shall:
1. 
Intentionally or negligently interfere with the use of a qualified service animal by means of harassment or obstruction; or
2. 
Intentionally or negligently allow an animal owned or controlled by him/her to interfere with the use of a qualified service animal by means of harassment or obstruction.
C. 
Private property.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to animals on private property and which is not open to the general public.
(Ordinance 11-19 adopted 2011)
No person shall transfer any rabies tag or license, from one animal to another; or possess, manufacture, or use any stolen, counterfeit, or forged license, certificate, or tag.
(Ordinance 11-19 adopted 2011)