Background
A rancher with a checkered background who illegally snared deer was being prosecuted by the state wildlife agency for violating New Mexico’s wildlife laws when a state prosecutor took over and filed new charges that the rancher violated the state’s domestic animal-cruelty statutes.
Impact to Hunters
Sportsmen’s Alliance recognized that subjecting hunters and trappers to domestic animal cruelty laws would set a dangerous precedent, so we petitioned the New Mexico Supreme Court to file a brief explaining that animal law creates a bright line between wildlife statutes (regulating wild animals) and anti-cruelty statutes (regulating acts regarding domestic animals), and that this bright line should not be crossed.
Verdict
The New Mexico Supreme Court ultimately agreed with the reasoning of the Sportsmen’s Alliance and rejected the new reading of the law sought by the activist prosecutor.
Help Us Fight for You
Your tax-deductible donation to the Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund directly supports our legal fights in courtrooms nationwide. The Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund was established to represent sportsmen in lawsuits that affect your ability to hunt, fish, trap and own firearms. Its funding ensures the sportsman’s voice is heard above the rhetoric of anti-hunting groups.
Join the fight for your hunting and fishing future by donating to the Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund today!
