Valencia County, NM Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

035 of the Animal Control chapter requires dogs and cats to be on a secure leash not exceeding 6 feet in length whenever they are on the roadways or public areas of the county, with the handler keeping the animal in immediate physical control (division (A)). The leash requirement does not apply to an animal in a bona fide animal show, nor to dogs trained for hunting while under their owner's voice control. Division (C) separately requires anyone with custody of an animal to keep it on their own premises inside a secure enclosed pen with room to move freely, or behind a fence or wall tall enough to contain it, and it makes tethering as a form of confinement unlawful, subject to an Animal Control Officer's evaluation.

Division (C)(2) repeats the leash standard for streets and other public places, allowing a longer retractable leash if the handler can still control the dog, and it exempts bona fide animal shows and off-leash parks or designated off-leash areas. 035(D) requires a non-abrasive, properly fitted collar or harness, a device at least 12 feet long (or no less than 8 feet if 12 would itself violate the section), swivels on both ends, and constant access to food, water, shade, and shelter. 065, and an animal control officer or Sheriff's deputy who observes it must take it into custody and impound it.