Edit 9/27/09: This bill is dead.
New Mexico State Representative John Heaton has introduced HB 667, which automatically defines “pit bulls” and Rottweilers as “dangerous.”
The bill is currently in the House Consumer & Public Affairs Committee. No hearing has been scheduled yet.
Contact information for Representative John Heaton: http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/legdetails.aspx?SPONCODE=HHEAT
Address: 102 South Canyon, Carlsbad, NM 88220
Capitol Phone: 986-4432
Office Phone: (575) 887-5983
E-mail: jheaton@caverns.com
Contact information for the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee:
http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/committeedisplay.aspx?CommitteeCode=HCPAC
Representative Gail Chasey – (D) Chair, gailchasey@msn.com
Representative Antonio “Moe” Maestas – (D) Vice Chair, antonio@moejustice.com
Representative Thomas A. Anderson – (R) Member, kb5ysg@arrl.net
Representative Zachary J. Cook – (R) Member, junderwoodfirm@yahoo.com
Representative Karen E. Giannini – (D) Member, nmhousedistrict30@live.com
Representative Bill B. O’Neill – (D) Member, oneillhd15@fastmail.us
Representative Al Park – (D) Member, alpark.nm@gmail.com
The following requirements would have to be met by all “dangerous” dog owners, to include all “pit bull” and Rottweiler owners:
C. An animal control authority shall issue a certificate of registration to the owner of a dangerous dog if the owner, in addition to the requirements of Subsection A of this section, establishes that:
(1) the owner has paid an annual fee, if applicable, established by the animal control authority to register a dangerous dog;
(2) the owner has written permission of the property owner or homeowner’s association where the dangerous dog will be kept, if applicable;
(3) the dangerous dog will be maintained exclusively on the owner’s property except for medical treatment or examination;
(4) when the dangerous dog is removed from the owner’s property, the dog shall be caged or muzzled and restrained with a lead no longer than four feet, and the dog shall be under complete control of a person eighteen years of age or older at all times;
(5) the dangerous dog will not be transported in a vehicle that might allow the dog to escape or gain access to any person or animal outside the vehicle; [and]
(6) a clearly visible warning sign with a conspicuous warning symbol indicating that there is a dangerous dog on the premises is posted where the dog is kept and is visible from a public roadway or from fifty feet, whichever is less;
(7) the owner will submit to the photographing or permanent marking of the dangerous dog for purposes of identification;
(8) the owner will submit to random inspections of the animal and its enclosure by the animal control authority without warrant and will produce, upon demand of the animal control authority, proof of compliance with the registration requirements of this subsection;
(9) the owner has obtained and will maintain liability insurance in the amount of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) and will furnish a certificate or proof of insurance upon demand of the animal control authority; and
(10) the owner will notify the animal control authority at least thirty calendar days before the cancellation or nonrenewal of the liability insurance policy.D. An animal control authority may order the immediate impoundment or humane destruction of a dog registered as a dangerous dog or previously determined to be a dangerous dog if the owner fails to abide by the conditions for registration, confinement or handling set forth in this section.
Full text of the proposed bill can be viewed here: http://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/09%20Regular/bills/house/HB0667.pdf
The bill may be tracked here: http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/_session.aspx?Chamber=H&LegType=B&LegNo=667&year=09
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