Lawyers, Answer Questions  & Get Points Log In
New Mexico Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for New Mexico on
Q: Can you sue an animal shelter for knowingly selling your chipped cat to someone?

My boyfriend used to have a cat that was completely his, he payed for it, chipped it, neutered it, vaccinated it and everything but it had accidentally got out one day and someone took it to the local shelter because they thought it was a stray. The shelter checked for a chip and contacted my... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Oct 15, 2023

In most cases, an animal shelter must keep an animal for a fixed period of time (3 days or 5 days is common) to allow the owner to claim the animal before either destroying the animal or allowing an adoption. The time period typically runs from the time the animal is received by the shelter not... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for New Mexico on
Q: I found a dead squirrel on the side of the road. Is it legal for me to cure/taxidermy and display it?

I want to taxidermy and display a squirrel I found, but I'm unsure of if it's legal after a friend informed me that it can be illegal in some areas.

T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 2, 2023

In New Mexico, laws regarding the collection, possession, and display of dead animals can vary depending on local regulations and permits. Generally, it is legal to collect and keep certain roadkill or found animal specimens for personal use if they are not protected or endangered species. However,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for New Mexico on
Q: Can i be sued for turning someone in abandoning a dog?

I turned my friends dad in for dropping off a dog at a river , and leaving it next to the river by a highway and animal control left them a note They didn’t anwser the door to animal or the note control so a cop showed up at there door , is it possible for them to sue they got a lawyer but all i... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 17, 2020

They can try, but they will lose. So it is unlikely you will be sued for this. I would be shocked if an attorney took a case like this. You’re more than likely safe from a lawsuit.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Medical Malpractice and Wrongful Death for New Mexico on
Q: Animal control hit my dog causing him with a serious injury. Then my dog passed away the next day. Could I sue them?

The speed limit where I live is 10mph there is no way they could’ve hit my dog that hard if they were going the speed limit.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Sep 11, 2018

A number of issues the biggest of which is all they owe you is the market value of your dog, not the emotional value. I don't see it, but feel free to ask other attorneys

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for New Mexico on
Q: If a person puts their hand in the window of my car or over the top of my convertable and my dog, a Doberman bites them

Is it my responsability?

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Oct 4, 2016

Likely no, but report it to your homeowners insurance (& car insurance) just in case--let them deal with it.

If they stuck their hand in, likely you are not guilty of anything, Over the top is a bit different, possibly, depending on what they were doing. Hopefully you don't have a...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for New Mexico on
Q: While in my yard, my dog jumped against the brick wall, his head got over, and bit someone. What's my liability?

The person in question was walking to a communal mail box and there is about 3-4 feet of space between the wall and mail box. He got too close to the wall and was bit. The dog has never bit anyone before and has been located in the same part of the yard for over 2 years--so the person being bit has... View More

David Alan Wolf
PREMIUM
David Alan Wolf pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 24, 2016

It appears that New Mexico does not have a dog bite statute in place for strict liability. The dog bite victim will need to show a prior dog bite OR negligence on the part of the dog owner. The victim could argue that you knew or should have known of the dog's aggressiveness and dangerous... View More

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.