Posted by Waste Happy
on September 10, 2026
Quick answer: Yes. Las Cruces requires dog owners to pick up after their dogs under Las Cruces Municipal Code Sec. 7-18(e). A court can impose up to $500.
What the Las Cruces ordinance says
| Ordinance | Las Cruces Municipal Code Sec. 7-18(e) (Nuisance prohibitions: public defecation), Chapter 7 re-enacted by Ord. No. 3091 (4-7-2025); penalties Secs. 7-45, 7-46 and 1-10 |
|---|---|
| Fine | Up to $500 |
| Must carry a bag | No |
| Service animal exemption | No |
How the penalty works
The code has no fine schedule. Violations are crimes subject to penalties 'set by council resolution and/or section 1-10' (7-45); 1-10 caps petty misdemeanors at $500 and/or 90 days. A person cited must appear in court. The council resolution that sets animal penalties was not located.
The carry rule
No carry requirement. 7-18(e) covers public property and the property of another unless the waste is immediately removed and properly disposed of, and expressly does not apply to community cats. Animal control may issue a correction warning instead of a citation for a first problem (7-45). No service-dog exemption stated.
In practice
Pick up every time, bag it, and put it in a trash can. That is the one method that satisfies every ordinance in the country. The Walk Dispenser clips to the leash and holds a full roll.
Elsewhere in New Mexico
New Mexico dog poop laws covers the state and its other large cities. Nearby: Albuquerque dog poop law. All 50 states.
Source
Checked 2026-09-10 against the Las Cruces municipal code. Codes change, so read the current version before relying on this for an actual citation.
This page is general information, not legal advice.
