NMSA 77-17-12. Hides and ears to be kept; inspection; penalty

77-17-12. Hides and ears to be kept; inspection; penalty. A person killing or causing to be killed any livestock for his own use or for the use of others or for the purpose in whole or in part of sale or exchange is required to keep in his own possession, unchanged and unmutilated and in condition to be easily inspected and examined, all hides or pelts and ears of cattle, sheep and goats, for the period of thirty days after the killing or until inspected by an inspector and shall at any time while the hides or pelts and ears remain in his possession permit them to be inspected and examined by a sheriff, deputy sheriff, inspector or other officer authorized by law to inspect any hides and pelts or livestock, whether dead or alive. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a fourth degree felony and upon conviction shall be sentenced in accordance with the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978. History: Laws 1891, ch. 45, § 1; C.L. 1897, § 89; Code 1915, § 549; C.S. 1929, § 19- 106; 1941 Comp., § 49-2209; 1953 Comp., § 47-20-9; Laws 1999, ch. 282, § 101.