Las Cruces resident urges city council to revive local baseball team

Concerns over public safety and animal control took center stage at the Las Cruces City Council meeting on June 16, 2025, as residents voiced urgent calls for action regarding aggressive dog packs and the need for improved animal control services.

Armando Sarabia, a lifelong resident, highlighted the alarming presence of three aggressive dog packs terrorizing the community, stressing that it is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt. He pointed out that while one additional animal control position has been allocated in the upcoming budget, this marks the first staffing increase since 2009, despite the city's growing population. Sarabia emphasized the strain on animal control officers, who are reportedly overwhelmed and unable to respond promptly to calls, citing a recent incident where animal control was three hours away from assisting with an injured dog.

Sarabia also criticized the lack of progress on previous animal ordinances, including the community cat ordinance and the intact animal requirement, which have not been implemented as promised. He urged the council to clarify their plans for addressing these pressing issues.

In a separate discussion, Sarabia reminisced about the Las Cruces Vaqueros, a minor league baseball team that once brought joy and community spirit to the city. He questioned why no efforts have been made to revive professional baseball in Las Cruces since the team's dissolution in 2010. Sarabia expressed his desire to present a new concept for professional baseball in a future meeting, emphasizing the potential for community engagement and economic opportunity.

The meeting underscored the urgent need for the city to address public safety concerns related to animal control and to explore new avenues for community engagement through sports. As residents await a response from city officials, the call for action remains clear.