Espanola, New Mexico

§ 137-9 Surrender of stray animals; disposition; costs; records.

E. No animal that has been impounded by the animal control center will be adopted out for the purpose of breeding or sale. Every dog or cat adopted from the center shall be neutered by a licensed veterinarian. A fee for the operation shall be paid to the animal control center or its designee by the person purchasing the dog or cat, prior to the release of the animal. Nothing in this section shall be construed as applicable to any dog or cat returned to the owner.

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H. The animal control center shall maintain records for the period of time mandated by the records retention schedule adopted by the City. The record shall include at least the following:

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(6) The altered state of the animal, and either:

(a) Record of request to owner if unaltered; or alternatively

(b) The record of the alteration of the animal.

I. The first time an animal is impounded, the animal’s altered status will be recorded, and if the animal is unaltered, it will be requested of the owner that the animal be altered within two months. If left unaltered and the animal is impounded a subsequent time, the animal will be altered and the fees charged to the owner pursuant to Subsection G.

§ 137-15 Mandatory spaying and neutering.

A. No person shall own or harbor within the City of Española any dog or cat over the age of six months which has not been spayed or neutered, unless that person obtains from the Animal Control Department a permit to keep an unaltered dog or cat as specified in Chapter 171.

B. Proof of neutering, if not apparent upon visual inspection, may be made by certificate or receipt from a licensed veterinarian, or by affidavit of the animal’s owner.

C. Proof of an unaltered dog or cat permit must be available upon reasonable demand of an Animal Control Officer or the owner of said animal will be cited for violation of this chapter and the animal may be impounded pursuant to § 137-8, Impoundment.