Albuquerque, NM Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

The City of Albuquerque does not impose breed-specific legislation. Under the HEART Ordinance, ROA Chapter 9 Article 2, the term 'Aggressive' is defined by behavior - a companion animal 'objectively observable as unnaturally hostile or violent toward humans when unprovoked' as evaluated by independent observers - with no reference to any particular breed such as pit bulls. At the state level, the New Mexico Dangerous Dog Act (NMSA 1978, Sec. 77-1A-1 et seq.) governs dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs and defines them entirely by conduct: a 'dangerous dog' is 'a dog that caused a serious injury to a person or domestic animal,' and a 'potentially dangerous dog' is one demonstrating specified threatening behaviors. The Act provides defenses (provocation, trespass, protecting offspring) and a court process for declaration, registration, proper enclosure, and, if warranted, humane destruction - again without breed criteria. New Mexico's local-control statute (NMSA 1978, Sec. 77-1-12) authorizes municipalities to regulate animals running at large, which Albuquerque exercises through the HEART Ordinance's behavior-based scheme.