City Employees: More Dog Waste Left Behind In Parks

Hidden among the blades of grass at Chermont park in West El Paso are the most unpleasant surprises — dog waste.

“I think it’s disgusting, and they’re not minding their civic manners,” said Carmen Delgado, who was out walking her dog. “They’re supposed to pick up the poop.”

Delgado says she’s seen more dog droppings at the park than before.

“You can see enormous amounts of excrement here, where you know they’re big dogs and someone just didn’t bother picking up,” she added.

Victor Flores, the park area supervisor for the city, said people who don’t want to pick up pet waste should keep their pets at home.

“The park is not the place to bring your pet to eliminate his waste,” Flores said. The problem is found across the city, according to Flores, who adds that most droppings are close to walkways.

“That indicates that the pets are being walked by their owners or someone is walking them and they’re eliminating by the walking path,” Flores concluded.

He thinks it’s a health hazard, along with an eyesore.

“People have a tendency to step off the walkways, and step into a pile of the mess,” Flores said. “Children that are unsupervised can also have access to the droppings.”

The city spends $4,000 a year installing dog waste stations and $11,500 annually keeping them stocked with bags.

While Carmen Delgado takes advantage of the service, waving the bag in her hand to prove it, she wishes others would do the same.

“There are signs all over the place in the parks. But people just ignore them,” she said.

Flores believes park patrons are misusing the bags, causing them to be out of stock frequently. He said if the city catches anyone using the bags improperly, they could be charged with vandalism.