The 2023 New Mexico legislative session recently ended, and a bill that would have prohibited some humane tethering of dogs did not pass. American Kennel Club Government Relations (AKC GR) thanks AKC club members, dog owners, sportsmen, and every individual who contacted lawmakers this session regarding legislation impacting their dogs.
Bill Opposed by AKC:
SB 429 attempted to regulate how long a dog may be tethered outdoors. AKC believes no dog should be tethered or left unattended in a manner that threatens its health and well-being, but this bill would have prohibited tethering for training purposes, for participating AKC events and it failed to consider the breed, age and the ability of a dog to withstand an environment when limiting tethering to three hours in a 24-hour period. AKC submitted opposition to the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee and made language recommendations. The bill was amended to exempt tethering at legal dog sport events. AKC and local clubs still had concerns with the bill, and it ultimately failed while awaiting a hearing the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Bill Monitored by AKC:
In addition, AKC monitored HB 239 which would have established a statewide missing pets database and would have further regulated when a shelter may euthanize an animal. AKC did not take a formal position on this bill, which did receive a hearing in House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee but never received a hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations and Finance. The bill failed while awaiting a hearing in this committee.
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For additional information, please contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org.