5-2-2: AUTHORITY, PURPOSE AND GOALS:

   A.   Authority: This chapter is adopted pursuant to the enabling provisions of Section 3-17-1 and Section 3-18-3, NMSA, 1978, as amended.

   B.   Purpose: The purpose of this chapter is to establish regulations and general guidelines for the ownership, control, registration, licensing, housing, vaccination, health, safety and care of animals, the impounding and disposition of animals running at large, and the prevention of cruelty to animals.

   C.   Goals: The goals of this chapter are to:

      1.   Protect the citizens of the city and their property;

      2.   Regulate, restrain and prohibit the running at large of any animal within the boundary of the city;

      3.   Regulate the ownership, control, registration, and licensing of animals;

      4.   Encourage the vaccination of all animals;

      5.   Protect the health and safety of animals;

      6.   Reduce animal nuisances;

      7.   Provide for the control of dangerous or vicious animals; and

      8.   Prohibit the cruelty to animals. (Ord. 2006-06, 4-18-2006)