N.M. Stat. § 77-9-40
Exporting of livestock without brand of shipper or bill of
sale; inspection; definition of estrays.
A. For the purposes of this section, an estray is any livestock being driven or
shipped from a district or from this state that is not properly identified as required by The
Livestock Code [Chapter 77, Articles 2 to 18 NMSA 1978]; or not accompanied by a
duly executed authority in writing by the owner of the recorded brand on the livestock
authorizing the driving and handling of the livestock by the person in possession of the
livestock.
B. If an inspector finds in or with the livestock he is inspecting an estray, he may
seize and sequestrate the estray and hold and dispose of it in the manner provided by
law for the disposition of unclaimed livestock by inspectors.