LAS CRUCES - State Attorney General Gary King announced a new hot line Tuesday for residents to report animal fighting or instances of extreme cruelty to animals.

The toll-free, 24-hour hot line is (888) 260-2178.

"People who abuse animals in New Mexico will be prosecuted," King said in a news release. "This new hot line gives the public and law enforcement another tool as we work together to ensure compliance with animal protection laws."

The phone number is a measure originated from the Animal Cruelty Taskforce, a group King put together in June to improve the prosecution rate of animal-related crimes.

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