ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) A New Mexico rancher has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges accusing him of allowing his cattle to graze on lawns and trespass in a subdivision of the Albuquerque suburb of Rio Rancho. The misdemeanor charges against Bill King result from numerous residents' complaints about cattle destroying lawns, damaging vehicles and leaving droppings on sidewalks.
New Mexico is generally a “fence out'' or “open range'' state. That means it's generally property owners' responsibility to keep livestock off their land with fencing or other means. King says he'd be breaking the law only if he intentionally herded his cattle into the area.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that Rio Rancho police filed the charges in Sandoval County Magistrate Court.
King is the son of late New Mexico Gov. Bruce King.
