Taos, New Mexico

§ 6.16.040 Restraint of animals.

A. Animals on owner’s property. Any animal, excluding cats, that are not deemed dangerous on its owner’s property shall be:

1. Placed in a secure run or kennel measuring at least six feet (6′) in width and twelve feet (12′) in length, and with access to shade; or

2. Kept within a “secure enclosure”, as defined in this title, surrounding the owner’s premises or a portion thereof; or

3. Kept under the immediate physical control of a person capable of restraining the animal; or

4. Restrained by means of a trolley system, if the following conditions are met:

a. Only one dog may be tethered to each cable run;

b. The device must be attached to a pulley on a cable run or trolley;

c. There must be a swivel on at least one end of the tether to minimize tangling of the tether;

d. The tether and cable run must be of adequate size and strength to effectively restrain the dog. The size and weight of the tether must not be excessive, as determined by the animal control officer, considering age, size and health of the dog;

e. The cable run must be at least ten feet (10′) in length and mounted at ground level;

f. The tether must be a minimum of ten feet (10′) in length which does not allow the animal to move beyond the legal boundary of the property;

g. The device must be affixed to an animal by use of a nonabrasive, comfortably fitted collar or harness; and

h. The device must be fastened so that the animal can sit, walk, and lie down comfortably, and must be unobstructed by objects that may cause the device or animal to become entangled or strangled.

i. The animal shall not be kept on the cable for more than twelve (12) hours at a time, and must be off of the cable for at least twelve (12) hours before being placed on the cable again.

j. Direct point chaining, or tethering of dogs to a stationary object, is prohibited.

5. The animal must have access to adequate shade, shelter, food, and potable water as outlined in subsection 6.16.030.A of this chapter.

6. The area where the animal is confined must be kept free of feces, garbage and other debris that might endanger the animal’s health or safety.

7. The area where the animal is confined must be kept free of insect infestation, such as anthills, wasp nests, fleas, ticks, and maggot infestations.

8. The animal shall be brought indoors, [in] garages, or other suitable areas, when temperatures drop to a point where the animal is potentially exposed to harm based on the size, and species of the animal.