He told me that I could not adopt it and would have to go to the auction to
buy him. I could not believe that and requested to see the law. He became
very angry and said he was using all of his patience to deal with me. He
finally showed me the law, but on the wrong page. I, of course, could not
find the law, and told him he could not pick up the horse. He left shouting
at me about search warrants, and how I was going to suffer the consquences.
What I then found out(through my attorney) was that here in New Mexico, a
stray animal is impounded for seven days at the place of choice by the
inspector. The state advertises, and if in those seven days, the owner is
not found, the animal goes to auction. But a person could write a request to
the livestock bureau stating that they want to buy the horse.
The bottom line is that the live stock inspector could designate my property
as the place of impoundment for the horse and then, if not claimed in seven
days, I could adopt the horse. The horse would not have to leave unless the
owner showed up. But the inspector is so angry at me that he has refused to
let the horse stay here. I even had my state senator's office call on my
behalf, but he has the authority to do as he pleases.
This has been a real jolt to my reality. I tried to do the right thing, only
to become embroiled in a big bureaucratic mess. The poor horse is an old
lame gelding who is so sweet and loves kids. I can't stand to think that he
will be sent through the auction to go to killers just because the inspector
has some kind of ego.
Disheartened and discouraged in New Mexico,
Patti
psmoto@lascruces.com