Animal Cruelty

Question 1

Does “animal” in the cruelty article 18 include insects or reptiles?

Answer 1

No

Question 2

Define “cruelty”

Answer 2

Negligently mistreating, injuring, killing without lawful justification or abandonment/failing to provide necessary sustenance to an animal

Question 3

Define “lawful justification”

Answer 3

Humanely destroying a sick or injured animal or protecting a person/animal from death/injury d/t attack by another animal

Question 4

What is the punishment for animal crelty?

Answer 4

Misdemeanor

Question 5

How many cruelty convictions can a person accrue before the crime is upgraded to a 4th degree felony?

Answer 5

4 or more

Question 6

What is considered extreme cruelty to animals?

Answer 6

Intentionally/maliciously torturing, mutilating, injuring, poisoning, or killing an animal

Question 7

What is a person charged with when convicted of extreme cruelty to animals?

Answer 7

4th degree felony

Question 8

Which practices are excluded from animal cruelty?

Answer 8

Veterinary medicine, rodent/pest control, game management (hunting/fishing/falconry)

Question 9

Who determines if a practice in question is a commonly accepted animal husbandry practice or commonly accepted in rodeo practice?

Answer 9

NM Livestock board

Question 10

Every act, omission, or neglect whereby unjustified physical pain and suffering or death is caused or permitted

Answer 10

Torture/torment

Question 11

How soon shall a court hearing occur after a warrant is issued for the seizure of a animal that is thought to be abused?

Answer 11

Within 30 days

Question 12

If an animal has been seized and no owner is identified, how many days until the animal is deemed abandoned or relinquished?

Answer 12

15 days

Question 13

Whoever commits unlawful disposition of an animal is guilty of what crime?

Answer 13

Misdemeanor

Question 14

How long can a cow be detained for the purpose of milking (without the permission of the owner)?

Answer 14

2 hours

Question 15

Whoever commits transportation of stolen livestock is guilty of what crime?

Answer 15

4th degree felony

Question 16

A person who commits misrepresentation of pedigree is guilty of what crime?

Answer 16

Misdemeanor

Question 17

What is the penalty for a person who kills or causes the killing, without bill or sale, cattle bearing the brand of another person?

Answer 17

Petty misdemeanor

Question 18

What is the penalty for a person who causes, sponsors, arranges/holds, or participates in a dog or cock fight for the purpose of monetary gain or enteratinment?

Answer 18

Petty misdemeanor (1st)
Misdemeanor (2nd)
4th degree felony (3+ offenses)

Question 19

Whoever commits unlawful tripping of an equine is guilty of what crime?

Answer 19

Misdemeanor; if horse is injured becomes 4th degree felony

Question 20

Whoever commits injury to livestock is guilty of what crime?

Answer 20

4th degree felony

Question 21

Whoever commits injury to a police/fire dog/horse shall be charged with what crime?

Answer 21

Petty misdemeanor; if injury causes significant damage or death to animal it becomes 4th degree felony (+ vet bills for treatment of condition and replacement if animal requires retirement or euthanasia)

Question 22

Is it lawful to perform an intracardiac injection on a conscious animal?

Answer 22

NO

Question 23

Are coyote-killing contests legal?

Answer 23

NO

Question 24

Any person who organizes or participates in a coyote-killing contest is guilty of what crime?

Answer 24

Petty misdemeanor