Category Archives: New Mexico

New Mexico update: Governor will not “call” BSL proposal

Posted on January 16, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Several sources, including a news report, have now confirmed that New Mexico Senator Sue Beffort’s proposal to restrict ownership of “pit bulls” will not be going anywhere this year.

Because 2012 is a short legislative session, Governor Martinez has to “call” any bill that is not related to budget. The governor’s office says that Gov. Martinez does not intend to call Beffort’s proposal, citing concerns about portions of the bill.

Beffort acknowledges how divisive her proposal was, but it’s unclear whether she’s actually changed her mind about how “dangerous” and “unpredictable” she thinks pit bull mixes are. Bill filing for the 2013 legislative session begins in December, and we will watch at that time to see if Beffort tries to file a simlar proposal during the longer session.

Beffort’s efforts to pass statewide BSL are not unique. In 2009, NM Representative John Heaton introduced a bill that defined “pit bulls” and Rottweilers as “dangerous dogs.” That bill did not pass, and Heaton lost re-election in 2010. When an elected official continuously proposes or supports BSL and is unwilling to change their stance, sometimes your vote is the best way to get that official out of a position of power.

Several New Mexico advocacy groups are now looking into the possibility of “banning BSL in New Mexico.” We believe that entails passage of a bill that amends state dog law to prohibit municipalities from passing breed-specific ordinances. Several other states already have such a prohibition. We support this effort and will try to share more information about it as the groups organize and get their bearings. Here’s one gathering place: http://www.facebook.com/BanBSLinNewMexico

All alerts for New Mexico: http://stopbsl.com/?s=new+mexico

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Posted in BSL Defeated, New Mexico

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New Mexico: More on state senator’s breed-specific proposal

Posted on December 18, 2011 by | Leave a comment

New Mexico Senator Sue Beffort’s as-yet unfiled proposal to restrict mixed-breed “pit bulls” has created quite a stir in the news media, among animal advocates, and in the general public. Many people are now asking how they can take action against this proposal, even at these early stages when there’s not really an official document to oppose.

1. Beffort’s proposal must receive permission from the governor to even be considered during the short 2012 legislative session. You can contact New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez and ask her not to “call” Beffort’s proposal/bill.
Phone: 505-476-2200
Contact form: http://www.governor.state.nm.us/Contact_the_Governor.aspx
There is also an online petition to the governor here: http://www.change.org/petitions/new-mexico-governor-susana-martinez-do-not-add-sen-befforts-draft-bsl-bill-to-jan-2012-call-list
We recommend that if you want to sign the online petition, do so in addition to contacting the governor’s office directly.

2. Contact your individual New Mexico state senator and express your opposition to breed-discriminatory laws. Make sure your own state senator understands who his or her constituents are, and what they stand for. Keep your statement of opposition broad; don’t limit it to Beffort’s proposal specifically. (Also, keep it short and simple.) Find your state senator here: http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/leg.aspx?T=S

3. You may contact Senator Beffort and make an attempt to educate her, to correct her misconceptions, or to show her how her proposal discriminates against people (including victims of dangerous dogs). Please remain respectful in your correspondence; angry and disrespectful correspondence only reinforces a negative perception of so-called “pit bull people.” Keep your correspondence brief–one or two of your best points at the most. (Don’t worry, someone else will cover the points you don’t make.)
Senator Sue Wilson Beffort
Capitol Phone: (505) 986-4395
E-mail: sue.beffort@nmlegis.gov

4. Join a local group. Many New Mexico animal organizations oppose breed-specific legislation, and they are doubtless preparing to fight this proposal, just as they have fought previous years’ attempts to introduce BSL in the state. Even better, some local groups attempt to directly address the community “dog problems” that are the source of breed-specific proposals like Beffort’s. Join up with a local group and get involved.

Keep in mind that this proposal has NOT been filed yet. If the bill is actually filed, it will likely go to a Senate committee. At that time, we will provide more information about who to contact. Please don’t write the entire Senate just yet.

Read more about Senator Beffort’s proposal: http://www.capitolreportnewmexico.com/?p=7214
http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/politics/bill-labels-mixed-pit-bulls-dangerous

All alerts for New Mexico: http://stopbsl.com/?s=new+mexico

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Posted in BSL Proposed, New Mexico, Whispers of BSL

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New Mexico: Senator drafts statewide BSL

Posted on December 13, 2011 by | 5 Comments

New Mexico Senator Sue Beffort has created a draft of a bill (click link to read it yourself) that she hopes to introduce in the 2012 legislative session (begins Jan 17).

The bill would declare all “pit bulls” in the state to be “dangerous dogs.” Owners of a dog believed to be a “pit bull” would be required to follow special restrictions. Such restrictions include special registration, liability insurance, special containment, spay/neuter, muzzling, spay/neuter, enrollment in behavior classes offered by animal control, and special signage. Further, dangerous dogs cannot be taken off the owner’s property except to go to the vet. Animal control may seize and kill a dog whose owner does not comply with these rules.

“Pit bull” is defined in the proposal as American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and any dog that is a mix of one of these, or any dog that resembles one of these. In a strange twist, purebred dogs of these breeds are NOT considered “pit bulls” as long as they are registered with the AKC or UKC. In other words, the “pit bulls” primarily targeted by this bill are non-pedigreed: such as mixed-breed dogs and shelter dogs.

Please contact Senator Beffort and your own New Mexico state senator now and express your opinion about breed-discriminatory laws.

Senator Sue Wilson Beffort
Capitol Phone: (505) 986-4395
E-mail: sue.beffort@nmlegis.gov

Find your state senator here: http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/leg.aspx?T=S

This proposal must receive a message from the governor’s office to be placed on the “call” of the 2012 session. Otherwise it cannot be considered. Please contact New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez and ask her not to call Beffort’s proposal/bill.
Phone: 505-476-2200
Contact form: http://www.governor.state.nm.us/Contact_the_Governor.aspx

Keep in mind that this proposal has NOT been filed yet. If the bill is actually filed, it will likely go to a Senate committee. At that time, we will provide more information about who to contact. Please don’t write the entire Senate just yet.

Read more about Senator Beffort’s proposal: http://www.capitolreportnewmexico.com/?p=7214

All alerts for New Mexico: http://stopbsl.com/?s=new+mexico

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Posted in BSL Proposed, New Mexico, Whispers of BSL

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New Mexico: Senator pushing for statewide BSL

Posted on October 25, 2011 by | 22 Comments

12/13/11: Update on this proposal can be found here: http://stopbsl.com/2011/12/13/new-mexico-senator-pushing-for-statewide-bsl-2/

Thanks to Jodi for this alert!

New Mexico State Senator Sue Wilson Beffort is reportedly pushing for harsher penalities for “pit bull” and “pit bull mix” owners. As of right now, no such bill is listed on the New Mexico legislature’s website, nor is any such bill linked to Senator Beffort as a bill she is sponsoring.

As such, New Mexico residents are encouraged to reach out to Senator Wilson Beffort and voice their opposition to any such bill being brought to the floor. Please limit your polite, respectful, and informative correspondence to Senator Wilson Beffort only as we do not know at this time if a bill is forthcoming. Should the bill actually be presented on the Senate floor, we will advise you of the steps to take at that time.

Senator Sue Wilson Beffort
Capitol Phone: (505) 986-4395
E-mail: sue.beffort@nmlegis.gov

State Sen. Seeks Tougher Laws For Pit Bull Owners

October 24, 2011

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A New Mexico senator is pushing for harsher penalties for pit bull owners. [...]

“We feel that the mixed breed pit bulls are a very, very dangerous dog and potentially easily provoked,” [Senator Sue] Beffort said. [...]

The proposed bill would force mixed breed pit bull owners to register their pet as a dangerous dog. It would also eliminate proof that a dog was provoked, so charges could be filed faster.

Full article retrieved 10/25/11 from: http://www.koat.com/news/29573329/detail.html

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Posted in New Mexico, Whispers of BSL

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New Mexico: Proposed statewide BSL to be dropped

Posted on March 1, 2009 by | Comments Off

Edit 9/1/09: This bill is dead.

Confirmed per NM legislature website that a substitute bill has been filed for HB 667. However, the substitute bill is not available on the site (broken link), so I do not yet know what has been changed.

Edit 3/2/09: The broken link has been repaired. Confirmed that the substitute bill does NOT have breed-specific language.

http://www.cnjonline.com/news/lawmaker_32555___article.html/heaton_state.html

Dogged lawmaker changes his mind

By Sharna Johnson: CNJ staff writer
February 27, 2009 – 5:15PM

A state lawmaker is pulling a proposal to classify all pit bulls and rottweilers as dangerous dogs.

State Rep. John Heaton said Friday he’s been persuaded by negative public reaction. [...]

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Posted in BSL Proposed, New Mexico

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New Mexico: HB 667 defines pit bulls and Rottweilers as dangerous dogs

Posted on February 11, 2009 by | 11 Comments

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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Posted in BSL Proposed, New Mexico

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