Can anyone verify this? I received it from a friend in another breed. This could greatly affect the May Albuquerque cluster if true? No flames please, just trying to find out if this ordinance is for real.
This is the kind of law that can get all of us in trouble. If it is allowed to stand, other towns will copy it. If we don't act now, it will soon be too late.
The HEART ordinance was passed in Albuquerque (not all of New Mexico) in 2006. I don't know that it really changed a lot because like many laws, there is no way to effectively enforce it. I lived in Albuquerque and was concerned the first year at the Albuquerque cluster but as far as I am aware, no one at the show had any problems. Within the city limit you are only allowed to keep four dogs and you have to get an intact animal permit for $150/year for each dog. The limit on the number was already in place prior to the HEART ordinance. The truth is that most people fly under the radar or they move out to the county or a neighboring county. Lots of people here fought against it to no avail. You can check it out at
http://www.cabq.gov/pets/education-resources/heart-ordinance and http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/may/21/heart-ordinance-has-minor-impact-city-officials-sa/
The good news is that Rio Rancho, NM (the city just north of Albuquerque)was working toward passing a similar ordinance but just became much more breeder friendly thanks in large part to the work of a local lab breeder.
I moved out to the county but I have shown in Albuquerque each year since without any problems - even though one of the animal control officers loves to watch the Labradors.
