2025 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 77 - Animals and Livestock
Article 9 - Brands, Ownership, Transportation and Sale of Animals
Section 77-9-21 - Bills of sale; necessity and presumptions; definition of livestock.

A. No person shall buy, receive, sell, dispose of or have in his possession any livestock in this state unless the person selling or disposing of such livestock gives and the person buying or receiving such livestock takes a written bill of sale giving the number, kind, marks and brand of each animal sold which meets the requirements of Section 77-9-22 NMSA 1978.

B. The possession of livestock without having a written bill of sale meeting the requirements of Section 77-9-22 NMSA 1978 is prima facie evidence of illegal possession against any person charged with theft, unlawful possession, handling, driving or killing any livestock.

History: 1953 Comp., § 47-9-19, enacted by Laws 1971, ch. 196, § 1; 1993, ch. 248, § 55.

Repeals and reenactments. — Laws 1971, ch. 196, § 1, repealed 47-9-19, 1953 Comp., relating to sales of animals, bills of sale and prima facie evidence where person charged with theft, and enacted the above section.

Cross references. — For larceny of animals, see 30-16-1 NMSA 1978.

The 1993 amendment, effective June 18, 1993, substituted "Section 77-9-22 NMSA 1978" for "Section 47-9-19.1 NMSA 1953" in Subsections A and B; deleted former Subsection C defining "livestock"; and made minor stylistic changes.