New Mexico Statutes Chapter 33. Correctional Institutions § 33-2-5. Disposition of unneeded property

A. If the penitentiary of New Mexico, as a body corporate, possesses any real, personal or mixed property of any kind that, in the judgment of the secretary of corrections is no longer required for the use of the penitentiary, then the penitentiary of New Mexico has the right to sell, trade, mortgage or otherwise alienate any real, personal or mixed property for such price and upon such terms as seems just and proper to the secretary of corrections, and the proceeds to be derived from any such transaction shall become the property of the penitentiary of New Mexico; provided, however, that in all cases of the sale, trade, mortgage or other alienation of real property belonging to the penitentiary of New Mexico, the same shall not take effect until approved by the department of finance and administration.

B. K-9 dogs are exempt from the provisions of Subsection A of this section. If the secretary of corrections finds that the K-9 dog presents no threat to public safety, the K-9 dog shall be released from public ownership as provided in this subsection. The K-9 dog shall first be offered to its trainer or handler free of charge. If the trainer or handler does not want to take ownership of the K-9 dog, then the K-9 dog shall be offered to an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 free of charge. If both of the above fail, the K-9 dog shall only be sold to a qualified individual found capable of providing a good home to the animal.