New Mexico Seeks Animal Cruelty Registry with Senate Bill 227

Proposed legislation would create a public database of those convicted of animal abuse, modeled after the state's sex offender registry.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Animal control officers in Grant County, New Mexico have proposed a new state bill, Senate Bill 227, that would create a public registry of people convicted of animal cruelty. The bill, sponsored by several state legislators, is modeled after "Dexter's Law" in Florida and Tennessee's animal abuser registry. If passed, the registry would require those convicted of animal cruelty or extreme cruelty to register with their local county sheriff's office, with the information made publicly available online.

Why it matters

The proposed registry aims to help animal shelters, pet stores, and individuals screen potential adopters or buyers to prevent animals from being placed with known abusers. Currently in New Mexico, animals are considered property, making it difficult for authorities to restrict ownership for those convicted of cruelty. Supporters believe the registry could also raise awareness of the link between animal abuse and other crimes like domestic violence.

The details

Senate Bill 227 was introduced at the start of the current legislative session in New Mexico. It does not include the 1.25 sentencing multiplier for severe animal cruelty cases that is part of Florida's "Dexter's Law", but is instead modeled after the state's existing sex offender registry. The bill would require those convicted of cruelty or extreme cruelty to animals to register with their county sheriff's office, with the information made publicly available online including the person's name, aliases, the offense, and a photograph.

  • Senate Bill 227 was referred to the Senate Committees' Committee on February 3, 2026.
  • The current legislative session in New Mexico ends on February 19, 2026.

The players

Senate Bill 227

A proposed bill in the New Mexico Legislature that would create a public registry of people convicted of animal cruelty, modeled after the state's sex offender registry.

Vickie Toney

Code enforcement and animal control officer for the town of Silver City, New Mexico, who helped write Senate Bill 227.

Jason Cox

Grant County animal control officer in New Mexico, who also helped write Senate Bill 227.

Raul Villanueva

Grant County Sheriff in New Mexico, who is aware of Senate Bill 227 but unsure how the proposed registry could be implemented.

Heidi Ogas

President of the board of directors for the High Desert Humane Society in New Mexico, who expressed full support for the proposed animal cruelty registry.

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What they’re saying

“When you compare Dexter's Law to what we ended up with trying to get here in New Mexico, there's considerable differences, but we figured we'd start somewhere and at least get the registry created.”

— Jason Cox, Grant County animal control officer (scdailypress.com)

“One hundred percent in support of it.”

— Heidi Ogas, President of the board of directors for the High Desert Humane Society (scdailypress.com)

“Oh hell, yeah, we'd totally go for that. We're here to help find animals for people and not have them abused.”

— Jim W-Ski, Owner of A+ & Pets in Deming (scdailypress.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This proposed animal cruelty registry in New Mexico could help animal shelters, pet stores, and individuals better screen potential adopters or buyers to prevent animals from being placed with known abusers. While the bill likely won't pass this legislative session, it represents an important step towards raising awareness of animal abuse and its links to other crimes.