Currently in New Mexico, according to the law, dogs and all pets are considered property. I'm currently going through a divorce and the judge ordered that my dogs be split up because they are nothing more than property to be divided. Basically, the judge explained that dogs are like houseplants--living things, but they have to be split equally between the parties. (I've never met a dog that only required water once per week!) Rooger, my Pembroke Corgi was well beyond that to me. A six-hour trial was held and my attorney and I presented a multitude of evidence to the court, including my certifications as a dog trainer, Rooger's AKC registration and titles with my name on them, registration documentation regarding the classes I took him too, pictures of me working the dogs in various training capacities including using them as my demonstration dogs to teach dog training classes, and a Ring video showing my ex leaving the gate open allowing Rooger to run toward a busy street. In the video, you can see my ex didn't make a huge effort to call Rooger back; and then a few minutes later, I'm seen running down the street to get Rooger, call him and Rooger comes running back. The video details my ex's lack of regard for the dogs (we had four at that time, two have passed since the filing), but especially for Rooger. I had various people testify on my behalf as well explain that these dogs were in no way of any concern to my ex. My ex manipulated the court, using his status as a disabled veteran to sway the courts. Prior to filing for the divorce, my ex did little more than feed the dogs occasionally and cuddle them at home. He wasn't engaged in their training (instead he usually set me back in my training attempts), their grooming, veterinary visits, or any other major care. Suddenly, a few months after I filed for divorce, he filed a motion to the courts to award him custody of two of the dogs, claiming they were his emotional support dogs due to his VA disabilities (which was a false representation! Evidenced by the video showing a lack of regard for Rooger and Rooger's lack of interest in my ex.) When it was proven the emotional support dog claim was a manipulation, my ex's attorney pivoted and alluded that the dogs are community property and should be divided as such. The judge heard this and awarded my ex my best demonstration dog just because he’d asked for Rooger. According to the current NM laws, the court didn’t do anything wrong. However, the decision was not made according to Rooger’s best interest. I’m asking for help to change the law regarding pets as property in NM. Rooger deserves the best—and all other pets do to! You don’t have to be human to matter!