‘Difficult images to see’: Mauled animals, overcrowding prompts investigation at El Paso Animal Services

(Editor's note: We CAUTION you that some of the images in the photo gallery may be disturbing to see.)

EL PASO, Texas -- Dozens of photos and videos obtained by ABC-7 appear to show overcrowding, mauled animals and clear policy violations at El Paso Animal Services.

"This job is not easy," confirmed Ramon Herrera, spokesman for El Paso Animal Services. "There are a lot of images here that are just as difficult for our staff to see every day."

An anonymous ABC-7 viewer dropped off a flash drive with dozens of disturbing videos and images.

Herrera confirmed there were several clear policy violations in many of the files. He also told ABC-7 that Animal Services would launch several investigations into what happened.

In one video, dogs are scarfing down food right next to their feces.

"That's against our policy," Herrera said." Everything needs to be poop-scooped. You never want to feed animals right next to their feces."

With issues of overcrowding, ABC-7 asked Herrera if a no-kill shelter was a realistic goal.

We have a large population," he said. "Are we going to need some help? Yes... It is realistic, but what is going to get us (there) is more community involvement."​

He told ABC-7 that the shelter is trying to be as transparent to the public as possible.

"There's a lot of images in here that is just as difficult for our staff to see every day," he said. "But we see it and also, we treat it."

Herrera did say the photos are missing context; it is not clear how all of the animals were injured.

"That would be disheartening," he said. "If (someone) saw something wrong and they knew it was wrong and they did nothing to fix it."

Next Thursday, Animal Services will have an open house at 6:30 p.m., he said. If the public wishes to attend and ask their own questions, they must RSVP at epasoutreach@elpasotexas.gov.