NM: New Mexico
Summary: New Mexico has a placement rule for retired K9s (NMSA § 13-6-1(L)): first offered free to the handler, then to a 501(c)(3), then to a qualified home. Its harm penalties run from a petty misdemeanor up to a fourth degree felony. A 2026 bill to raise penalties (SB 102) died. There's nothing on vests, EMS or retired care.
Body armor
- None found.
Medical & insurance
- No K9 EMS statute was found. NMSA § 61-14-14 exempts only government employees and routine livestock practices from vet licensing; it has no emergency exemption.
Retirement & service limits
- NMSA § 13-6-1(L). If the Secretary of Public Safety finds a retired K9 is no threat to public safety, it is released from public ownership. It is offered first to its trainer or handler free of charge, then to a 501(c)(3) free of charge, and otherwise sold only to a qualified person who can give it a good home. Most recently amended by L. 2025, Ch. 76.
- There's no age or service cap.
Post retirement care
- None found.
Penalties for harming police animals
- NMSA § 30-18-13, Injury to a police dog, police horse or fire dog; harassment. Causing minor injury or pain is a petty misdemeanor; causing serious injury, death or destruction is a fourth degree felony. The court may order restitution for vet bills, or replacement if the animal is permanently disabled or killed.
Pending or failed bills
Sources
- § 13-6-1: https://www.animallaw.info/statute/nm-police-animals-%C2%A7-13-6-1-disposition-obsolete-worn-out-or-unusable-tangible-personal
- § 30-18-13: https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/chapter-30/article-18/section-30-18-13/
- SB 102 (2026): https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/26%20Regular/bills/senate/SB0102.HTML
- SB 102 fiscal impact report: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/26%20Regular/firs/SB0102.PDF
- LegiScan: https://legiscan.com/NM/research/SB102/2026
- K9 Medic map: https://www.k9medic.com/k9-laws/