Santa Fe committee adopts ordinance tightening rules, fines for abandoned and unattended animals

The Santa Fe Quality of Life Committee voted Dec. 3 to adopt an ordinance (bill 2025-22) that tightens definitions and penalties for abandoning or leaving animals unattended and bans keeping animals on roadway medians.

The ordinance, sponsored by Councilors Jamie Cassick, Sydney Lindell, Alma Castro and Pilar Faulkner, amends sections of the Santa Fe City Code (SFCC 19-87) to add definitions for “abandonment” and “unattended animal,” prohibit animals on medians and adjust fines: the proposal raised the penalty for abandoning an animal and established a lower fine for a first unattended-animal offense and a higher fine for subsequent offenses. A technical amendment that clarifies municipal-court alternatives to monetary fines was approved prior to the final vote.

Supporters said the changes clarify enforcement options and create nonmonetary alternatives for people who cannot pay. The sponsor described one amendment as “primarily technical” and intended to make clear that the municipal court may offer alternatives to monetary payment for someone unable to meet a fine. Opponents pressed for careful drafting of language that governs who may remove or take custody of animals, arguing trained animal-control officers are usually best placed to handle animals in distress.

The committee debated a separate amendment (Amendment B) that would have limited authority to take custody of animals to city animal-control staff and other designated city responders. Council members raised competing points: one said the current wording gives residents useful guidance on what they may do when encountering an animal in distress, while others said restricting the authority preserves safety and ensures trained staff handle animal removals. The sponsor chose to pull Amendment B for further refinement and work with colleagues and staff to return revised language next week to the general governing body and finance committee.

A roll call was taken on the final motion to adopt the ordinance as amended. Recorded votes included Councilor Castro: No; Councilor Travis: No; Councilor Garcia: Yes; Chair Rosanna: Yes; Councilor Chavez: Yes. The chair declared the motion passed.

The ordinance text as presented amends SFCC 19-87 (definitions), inserts new subsections addressing unattended animals and medians, and revises the city’s penalty table to reflect the new fines. Committee members said the city will bring the ordinance forward with clarified language on who should be contacted first when a person encounters an animal in distress, and that staff will refine the wording before final consideration by the governing body.

The committee moved on to its scheduled presentation following the vote; staff indicated Amendment B would be reworked and returned for further consideration.