Las Cruces, NM Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash Max
- 8 feet
- Restraint
- Required off premises
- Off-Leash
- City dog parks only
- Tethering
- Banned as confinement
- Also Required
- Rabies shot + microchip
Summary
Las Cruces requires dogs under humane physical restraint at all times off the owner's property, with a leash no longer than eight feet. Off-leash is allowed only in designated city dog parks.
A person owning or having the guardianship, care, custody, or care over an animal shall keep the animal under humane physical restraint at all times excluding community cats and dogs using the off-leash areas of city dog parks.
(b) Dragging; hobbling. A person shall not hobble an animal, or tether or attach any animal to any object that can be dragged or moved by the animal. Such an animal, if not otherwise restrained by a secure tether, when a tether is allowed, or enclosure, shall be considered by the animal control officer to be unrestrained. This shall not apply to livestock animals being properly used for work purposes.
(c) Owner's premises. A person owning or having guardianship, care custody, or control over an animal on his or her premises shall restrain the animal either by a secure enclosure or by immediate physical control.
(1) All pens, kennels, stall, corrals, or other enclosures used to restrain an animal shall be continuously maintained with preservatives, fasteners, and other materials to prevent deterioration and animal escape. Substantial and acceptable locking or latching devices shall be installed and utilized on all gates and doors to animal enclosures to prevent animals and small children from entering and prevent animal escape.
( Ord. No. 3091 , § I(Exh. A), 4-7-25)
Sec. 7-13A-1. - Tether/trolley restraint of companion animals.
(a) A person owning or having guardianship, care, custody or control over a companion
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33 | Land Development Code: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
Section 7-13 of the 2025 Animal Control Ordinance requires every animal to be under humane physical restraint at all times off the owner's premises; a dog at large may be impounded. 'Immediate control' means a secure collar or harness and a leash no longer than eight feet. Using a tether as confinement is prohibited under Section 7-13A-1: companion animals must be kept behind a fence, wall, or secure pen, and fixed-point tethering is limited to brief supervised situations. Dogs also need current rabies vaccination and a microchip.
Violations & Fines
Letting a dog run at large or improperly tethering it draws a correction warning or citation under Section 7-45; repeat or dangerous cases lead to impoundment and court penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do dogs have to be on a leash in Las Cruces?
Can I keep my dog on a chain in the yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Las Cruces
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