Bernalillo County, NM Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Bernalillo County Code § 6-67
- Registration required
- Dangerous dog permit with animal care services
- Court authority
- Can order humane destruction of vicious animal
- State handling rules
- NMSA 1978 § 77-1A-5
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Bernalillo County only
Summary
In unincorporated Bernalillo County, any dog declared dangerous by its owner or a court must be registered with animal care services under a dangerous dog permit, and keeping a vicious animal can lead to court-ordered humane destruction.
(b)It shall be unlawful to maintain a dangerous animal in a manner which constitutes a threat to any person or other animal.(c)Any dog that is deemed dangerous by admission of owner or by court determination shall register the dog with animal care services by obtaining a dangerous dog permit. The owner shall comply with all registration and handling requirements as listed in the NMSA 1978, § 77-1A-5.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 92).
Full Breakdown
Bernalillo County Code § 6-67 makes it unlawful to keep or harbor a vicious animal in the unincorporated county; animal care services officers may impound an animal on probable cause, and a court that finds an animal vicious can order humane destruction or surrender in addition to any fine. Separately, any dog admitted by its owner or determined by a court to be dangerous must be registered with animal care services through a dangerous dog permit, with registration and handling requirements set by state law, NMSA 1978 § 77-1A-5. Albuquerque, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, and Tijeras enforce their own separate animal codes.
Violations & Fines
Violating the vicious animal prohibition is enforced under the general chapter 6 penalty (Sec. 1-6); a court can also order the animal humanely destroyed or surrendered, and failing to obtain a required dangerous dog permit is a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bernalillo County ban specific dog breeds?
What happens if my dog is declared dangerous?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bernalillo County
How Bernalillo County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Bernalillo County to another location·View the New Mexico animal ordinances overview
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