Ruidoso Animal welfare, Control, and Code Enforcement

You can call or file a complaint online about animals and their owners.

For wildlife issues, including sick or injured wildlife, please call NM Game and Fish Customer Assistance (888) 248-6866 (toll-free), or (505) 476-8000.

If your complaint involves a dangerous or injured animal please call 911 or Ruidoso Police Department Dispatch at 575-258-7365.

REPORT AN ANIMAL CONTROL ISSUE

All form entries must be completed for the form to be submitted. DO NOT USE THIS FORM if you do not know the address of the animal owner, such as an animal running at large or an animal attack please contact RPD at 575-258-7365.

Once RPD receives a complaint it will be reviewed to ensure it contains all of the required information.  An Animal Welfare Officer will then conduct an investigation to establish probable cause and determine the most appropriate action to be taken. This can include a Written Warning, Penalty Assessment, or a Summons and Complaint to court.  It is the Investigation Officer’s discretion that will determine which corrective measure will be used to address the problem.  This decision will be based on Village Ordinances or Resolutions, the frequency of the problem, the severity of the violation, prior violations, and a myriad of other factors.  Although the complainant’s suggestions are always welcome, the Investigation Officer will make the final decision on how best to attempt to resolve the matter.

We will strive to address your concerns as soon as possible.  Our response time may vary due to emergency calls for service, workload, weather conditions, manpower, and a variety of other factors.  If an accurate and complete statement is received, we will make every attempt to address the matter within 24 hours of receiving the statement.  If the complainant would like contact, please indicate so on the statement and the Officer will attempt contact with the complainant once corrective measures have been taken.

Animal Services

Lost Animals

The Village no longer requires licensing for pets. While vaccines are still required, licenses are not. All dogs and cats must be microchipped. And because we know how much they love to slip the leash, we’ve created an off-leash park where they can safely do just that.

Licenses

The Village of Ruidoso requires pet owners to have a current rabies vaccination, tag, and certificate for dogs four months and older. The certificate must be issued by a licensed vet. Dogs must always wear their rabies tags.

Identification

If animals are wearing proper identification and they are not repeat offenders, control officers will try to return the dogs to their owners. If they can’t find the owners, they’ll take the dogs to the Humane Society of Lincoln County located at 26048 US Hwy 70, Ruidoso, NM 88345.

When you pick up your pet, you’ll have to pay fines and fees associated with the impoundment.  It is less stressful and less expensive to properly identify your animal so that when they’re lost, they can get home.

Microchips

Permanent identification is a pet’s ticket home because all of their information is kept in a registration database. It allows officials to locate you quickly if your pet is found. When an animal is found and taken to a shelter or veterinary clinic, one of the first things they do is scan the animal for a microchip. If they find a microchip, and if the microchip registry has accurate information, they can quickly find the animal's owner. How effective are microchips? Dogs with microchips are 2.5x more likely to be returned home. Cats with microchips are 20x more likely to be returned home. Learn more >>

Wildlife

Since we also share our county with wildlife, we look out for them. The chance of seeing a deer or elk is one of the reasons many of us love it here, so it is important to remember to treat wildlife with proper caution and respect. The safety of the animals, as well as your safety, depends on it.