COCKFIGHTING PENALTIES

SB0074

SENATE BILL 74

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2026

INTRODUCED BY

Craig W. Brandt
and
Catherine J. Cullen

AN ACT

RELATING TO CRIME; REVISING PENALTIES FOR COCKFIGHTING.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

SECTION 1.
Section 30-18-9 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1981,
Chapter 30, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read:

"30-18-9.
DOG FIGHTING AND COCKFIGHTING--PENALTY.--

A. It is unlawful for any person to cause, sponsor,
arrange, hold or participate in a fight between dogs or cocks
for the purpose of monetary gain or entertainment.
Participation in a fight between dogs or cocks for the purpose
of monetary gain or entertainment consists of an adult
knowingly:

(1) being present at a dog fight
or cockfight

without attempting to interfere with or stop the contest; or

(2) owning or equipping one of the
participating dogs or cocks with knowledge of the contest.

B. It is unlawful to train, equip or sponsor a dog
or cock for the purpose of having it participate in a fight
with another dog or cock, respectively, for monetary gain or
entertainment.

C. Any person violating the provisions of
Subsection A or B of this section [
as it pertains to dogs
] is
guilty of a fourth degree felony.

[
D. Any person violating the provisions of
Subsection A or B of this section as it pertains to cocks:

(1) upon a first conviction, is guilty of a
petty misdemeanor;

(2) upon a second conviction, is guilty of a
misdemeanor; and

(3) upon a third or subsequent conviction, is
guilty of a fourth degree felony.
]"

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