Control of Contagious Diseases

NMSA 1978 ch. 77, art. 3

in effect

NMSA 1978, § 77-3-1 Diseases; inspection; quarantine

77-3-1. Diseases; inspection; quarantine A. The board may use all proper means to prevent the spreading of dangerous and fatal diseases among livestock and for the extirpation of such diseases. If a disease breaks out in the state, it is the duty of all persons owning or having in their charge livestock infected to immediately notify the board of the existence of such disease. The board shall cause proper examination to be made by a veterinarian and, if the disease is found to be a dangerously contagious or infectious malady, the board shall order the diseased livestock that have been exposed to be strictly quarantined and shall order any premises or farms where such disease exists or has recently existed to be put in quarantine so that no livestock subject to the disease is removed from or brought to the premises or places so quarantined. The board shall prescribe such rules as it deems necessary to prevent the disease from being communicated in any way from the premises so quarantined. B. The board may expend funds to prevent, suppress, control or eradicate any disease or parasite of livestock that the board has by rule declared to be a disease or pest of significant economic impact to any segment of the livestock industry. This power shall include the right to purchase and destroy or sell infected or exposed livestock. C. Whenever the board finds any livestock infested with a disease or pest declared by the board to be of significant economic impact, the board may request the governor to declare an emergency as provided in Section 6-7-3 NMSA 1978. Laws 1909, ch. 9, § 1; Code 1915, § 106; C.S. 1929, § 4-1009; 1941 Comp., § 49-301; 1953 Comp., § 47-3-1; Laws 1983, ch. 229, § 6; 1999, ch. 282, § 20.

NMSA 1978, § 77-3-2 Report of diseased livestock; offenses; expense recovery; duties of sheriffs; penalty

77-3-2. Report of diseased livestock; offenses; expense recovery; duties of sheriffs; penalty A. A person who has in his possession or under his care any livestock that he knows or has reason to believe is affected with a disease shall without unnecessary delay tell the board or some member of the board or the sheriff of the county in which the livestock is situate. The sheriff shall immediately notify the director. B. A person shall not bring into this state or sell or dispose of any livestock known to be affected or exposed to disease or move diseased or exposed livestock from quarantine or move any livestock to or from a district in the state declared to be infected with a disease or bring into this state any diseased livestock from a district outside the state that may at any time be legally declared to be affected with such disease without the consent of the board. C. A person who violates a provision of Subsection A or B of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be sentenced in accordance with the provisions of Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978 for each head illegally moved. D. Any guard or other proper expenses incurred in the quarantining of the livestock shall be paid by the owner, and if the same is refused, after demand made by order of the board, an action may be brought to recover the same with costs of suit, which action may be brought in the name of the state for the use of the board. It is the duty of all sheriffs to execute all lawful orders of the board. Laws 1909, ch. 9, § 2; Code 1915, § 107; Laws 1927, ch. 25, § 2; C.S. 1929, § 4-1010; 1941 Comp., § 49-302; 1953 Comp., § 47-3-2; Laws 1993, ch. 248, § 18; 1999, ch. 282, § 21.

NMSA 1978, § 77-3-4 Dead animals; disposal

77-3-4. Dead animals; disposal The bodies of all dead animals shall be buried, burned or disposed of by the owners as provided by regulations of the board. Laws 1909, ch. 9, § 3; Code 1915, § 108; C.S. 1929, § 4-1011; 1941 Comp., § 49-304; 1953 Comp., § 47-3-4; Laws 1993, ch. 248, § 19.

NMSA 1978, § 77-3-5 Infected pastures and buildings; notices

77-3-5. Infected pastures and buildings; notices A. If a pasture, building, corral, yard or enclosure where livestock have been or may be pastured or confined is infected with or has become dangerous on account of a disease or poisonous weed or plant, the board may post danger or quarantine notices in not less than two conspicuous places in or upon such pasture, building, corral, yard or enclosure sufficient to warn all owners and others in charge of livestock of the danger or quarantine. When the danger has passed or the quarantine is lifted, the board shall require the posted notices to be removed. B. Except as authorized by the director, a person who removes a posted notice of danger or quarantine is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be sentenced in accordance with the provisions of Section 31-19-1 NMSA [1978]. Laws 1917, ch. 30, § 1; C.S. 1929, § 4-915; 1941 Comp., § 49-305; 1953 Comp., § 47-3-5; Laws 1993, ch. 248, § 20; 1999, ch. 282, § 22.

NMSA 1978, § 77-3-8 Destruction of diseased livestock; payment to the owner; appraisal

77-3-8. Destruction of diseased livestock; payment to the owner; appraisal In cases where the board deems it necessary to destroy any diseased, infected or exposed livestock in order to prevent the spread of dangerous and fatal diseases such as glanders, farcy, tuberculosis, pleuro-pneumonia, rinderpest, foot and mouth disease or any other dangerous and fatal disease, foreign or other, which according to the rules, regulations and standards adopted by the United States department of agriculture animal and plant health inspection service cannot be extirpated by means other than the destroying of the diseased, infected or exposed livestock, the board may have the livestock killed and burned or buried under such rules as the board may prescribe. The board shall cooperate with the United States department of agriculture in paying to the owners of the slaughtered livestock the allowed indemnity determined by the United States department of agriculture animal and plant health inspection service and the board. Laws 1909, ch. 9, § 8; 1909, ch. 75, § 2; Code 1915, § 113; C.S. 1929, § 4-1016; Laws 1933, ch. 53, § 13; 1941 Comp., § 49-308; 1953 Comp., § 47-3-8; Laws 1993, ch. 248, § 21; 1999, ch. 282, § 23.

NMSA 1978, § 77-3-9 Acceptance of federal rules and regulations; cooperation

77-3-9. Acceptance of federal rules and regulations; cooperation The board may accept on behalf of the state the rules and regulations prepared by the secretary of the United States department of agriculture relating to the control of diseases of livestock and to cooperate with the authorities of the United States in the enforcement of the provisions of all acts and regulations relating to diseased livestock. Laws 1909, ch. 9, § 4; Code 1915, § 109; C.S. 1929, § 4-1012; Laws 1933, ch. 53, § 12; 1941 Comp., § 49-309; 1953 Comp., § 47-3-9; Laws 1993, ch. 248, § 22; 1999, ch. 282, § 24.

NMSA 1978, § 77-3-10 Federal officers; powers

77-3-10. Federal officers; powers The representatives of the United States department of agriculture animal and plant health inspection service under the specific authorization of the board may inspect, quarantine and condemn livestock affected with a disease or suspected of being affected with a disease or that have been exposed to a disease and for these purposes may enter any grounds or premises in the state. The representatives may call upon peace officers to assist them in the discharge of their duties as specified by the board in carrying out federal laws and regulations as provided in Section 77-3-9 NMSA 1978. The peace officers shall assist the representatives when so requested and authorized by the board. Laws 1909, ch. 9, § 5; Code 1915, § 110; C.S. 1929, § 4-1013; 1941 Comp., § 49-310; 1953 Comp., § 47-3-10; Laws 1993, ch. 248, § 23; 1999, ch. 282, § 25.

NMSA 1978, § 77-3-11 Marking or branding of cattle and bison found infected with tuberculosis or Bang's disease

77-3-11. Marking or branding of cattle and bison found infected with tuberculosis or Bang's disease Whenever cattle or bison within this state are tested for tuberculosis or Bang's disease by the board or its agents or employees or by an authorized agent or employee of the United States department of agriculture animal and plant health inspection service, if an animal so tested is found to have a positive reaction to such tests, it shall be permanently marked or branded according to the requirements of the board by the owner or his agent. The type of mark or brand to be used shall be designated by the board, and an animal shall be marked or branded immediately upon instructions from the board. 1941 Comp., § 49-318, enacted by Laws 1949, ch. 48, § 1; 1953 Comp., § 47-3-11; Laws 1993, ch. 248, § 24; 1999, ch. 282, § 26.

NMSA 1978, § 77-3-12 Penalty

77-3-12. Penalty A person who fails to identify his animals as required by Section 77-3-11 NMSA 1978 is guilty of a misdemeanor for each head in violation and upon conviction shall be sentenced in accordance with the provisions of Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978. 1941 Comp., § 49-319, enacted by Laws 1949, ch. 48, § 2; 1953 Comp., § 47-3-12; Laws 1993, ch. 248, § 25; 1999, ch. 282, § 27.

NMSA 1978, § 77-3-13 Dangerous epidemics; emergency rules; imports prohibited; penalty

77-3-13. Dangerous epidemics; emergency rules; imports prohibited; penalty A. When the board or any of its authorized representatives finds that a disease, the nature of which is known to be fatal or highly injurious to livestock, pigeons or fowl of any kind, has become epidemic or exists in a locality in a country, state or territory beyond the limits of this state, the board shall immediately adopt and promulgate emergency rules to prohibit the importation into this state of any animals, including livestock, subject to the disease that may be so reported. B. The board shall specify such restrictions and safeguards as it deems proper and shall specify for the protection of livestock in this state and may also prohibit the importation into this state of any hoofs, hides, skins or meat of any animals or any hay, straw fodder, cottonseed or other products or material calculated to carry the infection of such disease. C. Emergency rules may be adopted and promulgated without the notice and hearing required of other rules and shall take effect immediately. If the board contemplates that an emergency rule will be in effect for longer than ninety days, it shall give notice and hold a hearing to adopt the emergency rule as a rule. D. Any person who violates any provision of this section or an emergency rule issued in accordance with this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be sentenced in accordance with the provisions of Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978 for each head and is also liable in a civil action for any damages and loss sustained by reason of such importation of the livestock or of any of the products provided for in this section. Laws 1889, ch. 106, § 8; C.L. 1897, § 188; Code 1915, § 86; Laws 1915, ch. 35, § 1; C.S. 1929, § 4-903; Laws 1933, ch. 53, § 8; 1941 Comp., § 49-311; 1953 Comp., § 47-3-13; Laws 1993, ch. 248, § 26; 1999, ch. 282, § 28.

NMSA 1978, § 77-3-14 Health certificate; inspection; permit; penalty

77-3-14. Health certificate; inspection; permit; penalty A. After the issuance of an emergency rule pursuant to the provisions of Section 77-3-13 NMSA 1978 and while the emergency rule continues in force, it is unlawful for a person to drive or transport or cause to be driven or transported into this state any livestock that by any direct or circuitous route might have come from any place or district covered by the emergency rule without first having obtained a certificate of health from a veterinarian or a permit in writing from the board under such rules as the board prescribes. B. A person failing to comply with this provision is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be sentenced in accordance with the provisions of Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978 and is also personally liable for all loss and damages sustained by any persons by reason of the introduction of a disease from the livestock unlawfully imported into this state. C. During the time covered by the emergency rule, all livestock desiring to enter the state shall submit to an inspection and shall not be permitted to enter the state until a written or printed permit is issued by the board. A livestock inspector or other agent of the board may require the person in charge of the livestock to produce the permit for his inspection, and any person refusing to produce the permit at any time within a year from the time the livestock were driven in is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be sentenced in accordance with the provisions of Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978. Laws 1889, ch. 106, § 9; C.L. 1897, § 189; Code 1915, § 87; C.S. 1929, § 4-904; Laws 1933, ch. 53, § 9; 1941 Comp., § 49-312; 1953 Comp., § 47-3-14; Laws 1993, ch. 248, § 27; 1999, ch. 282, § 29.

NMSA 1978, § 77-3-14.1 AGID tests required

77-3-14.1. AGID tests required The board shall adopt rules prohibiting the driving or transporting into this state of any horses or other equidae that have not tested negative to the AGID, or Coggins, test or a United States department of agriculture-approved equivalent test for equine infectious anemia within twelve months prior to the date of entry, the evidence of which test result shall be shown on a health certificate; excepting from regulation only those foals accompanied in shipment by a negative-tested dam, those horses or other equidae consigned directly to slaughter. 1978 Comp., § 77-3-14.1, enacted by Laws 1993, ch. 248, § 28; 1999, ch. 282, § 30.

NMSA 1978, § 77-3-15 Investigation of suspected illegal imports; oaths; health certificate of [or] permit

77-3-15. Investigation of suspected illegal imports; oaths; health certificate of [or] permit Whenever the board, during the continuance in force of any prohibition against the importation into this state of livestock has good reason to believe or suspect that any such livestock against the importation of which prohibition then exists have been or are about to be driven, conveyed or transported into this state in violation of any such prohibition then existing and then in force, it is the duty of the board, either by its own members or through a veterinarian or through one or more of such persons then in their employ as circumstances shall seem to require, to thoroughly investigate the same. They may examine, under oath or affirmation, any person in charge of the livestock or any person cognizant of any facts or circumstances material to the investigations and all facts connected with the driving or transportation of the livestock, including the place or places from which the livestock have been driven or transported; the places or districts through which they have been driven or transported; the length of time and where they have remained, fed or grazed at any designated place or district; what contagious or infectious disease of livestock, if any, they have been exposed to and when and where; and any other facts or circumstances material to the investigation and reduce such testimony to writing in all cases where the certificate of health or the permit in writing provided for in this section shall be refused. The members of the board, a veterinarian and all other persons as aforesaid so in the employ of the board through whom any such investigation shall be made hereby are authorized to administer all oaths and affirmations required in any such investigation. If any such investigation is made by such veterinarian and he is satisfied that the livestock are free from all contagious and infectious disease and will not communicate any disease to any livestock in this state, he shall deliver to the person in charge of the livestock a certificate of health to the effect that the livestock are healthy and entitled to pass into the state, otherwise he shall refuse the same. If such investigation is made by any other persons authorized as specified in this section to make the investigation and they are satisfied that the livestock will not transmit to the livestock in this state any livestock disease and that the facts and circumstances attending their transportation warrant the presumption that such livestock are not from any prohibited areas, a recommendation that the importation of the livestock shall then be permitted, shall be communicated to the board and the board shall upon concurrence give the person in charge of the livestock a written permit to pass the same into the state, otherwise such permit shall be refused. Laws 1889, ch. 106, § 11; C.L. 1897, § 191; Code 1915, § 88; C.S. 1929, § 4-905; Laws 1933, ch. 53, § 10; 1941 Comp., § 49-313; 1953 Comp., § 47-3-15; Laws 1993, ch. 248, § 29.

NMSA 1978, § 77-3-16 Rules and regulations

77-3-16. Rules and regulations It is the duty of the board to make all useful rules and regulations respecting examinations and investigations for the granting or refusing of certificates of health and permits provided for in the next succeeding section and give ample publicity thereto so that all persons, companies and corporations who may desire to drive or transport any livestock into the state may be conveniently advised of what will be required to obtain any such certificate or permit during the existence of any prohibition to the importation of livestock into the state and of when, where and to whom application therefor may be made. Laws 1889, ch. 106, § 12; C.L. 1897, § 192; Code 1915, § 89; C.S. 1929, § 4-906; 1941 Comp., § 49-314; 1953 Comp., § 47-3-16; Laws 1993, ch. 248, § 30.

NMSA 1978, § 77-3-17 Quarantine; seizure of cattle

77-3-17. Quarantine; seizure of cattle Whenever any livestock are driven or transported into the state without obtaining a certificate of health or permit by the person in charge thereof, in any case where a certificate or permit is required and if such livestock have been inspected and an investigation had in relation thereto and the certificate or permit refused, then the livestock may be seized and securely held in quarantine under such reasonable rules and regulations as shall be prescribed therefor by the board and as they may deem necessary to guard against other livestock becoming affected with any such livestock diseases. They shall be held in quarantine for such length of time as the board shall in their opinion deem necessary for the sanitary protection of livestock in this state. If such livestock shall not have been so inspected and an investigation had, then the same shall take place wherever the livestock may be found, and they may be seized and held for that purpose and a certificate of health or permit granted or refused, as the case may require. If refused, the livestock may in like manner be held in quarantine. All the necessary expenses of quarantine and inspection under the provisions of this section shall be paid by the owners of the livestock. Laws 1889, ch. 106, § 14; C.L. 1897, § 194; Code 1915, § 91; C.S. 1929, § 4-908; 1941 Comp., § 49-315; 1953 Comp., § 47-3-17; Laws 1993, ch. 248, § 31.

NMSA 1978, § 77-3-18 Liens for expenses and for damages for communicating disease

77-3-18. Liens for expenses and for damages for communicating disease All expenses incurred in and by the inspection and quarantine of livestock under Section 77-3-17 NMSA 1978 shall be a lien on such livestock to secure the payment thereof in favor of the board, as an indemnity for the expenses so incurred. All loss and damages incurred and suffered by any person, company or corporation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be lien on the livestock so unlawfully imported in favor of the person, company or corporation so incurring or suffering such loss or damage. All liens covered by this section shall take precedence and priority over any other lien or encumbrance on any such livestock existing at the time of their unlawful importation as aforesaid or at any time subsequent thereto. All such liens shall subsist and become effective as security for ultimate payment without any other act or proceeding whatever and after judgment any such lien may be foreclosed by sale of the livestock on execution. Laws 1889, ch. 106, § 15; C.L. 1897, § 195; Code 1915, § 92; C.S. 1929, § 4-909; 1941 Comp., § 49-316; 1953 Comp., § 47-3-18; Laws 1993, ch. 248, § 32.

Source: New Mexico Compilation Commission (nmonesource.com)URL: https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa-unanno/en/item/18580/index.doFetched: 10/20/2026