Dogs Removed From Property, Owners Handed 23 Citations

El Paso Animal Services officers found several dogs without water and not properly confined. This after police got a call about the dogs fighting.

The El Paso police officer who responded to the call said two pit bulls were fighting when he got to the central El Paso house.

An officer with Animal Services also responded. They claim the owners just weren’t taking proper care of their dogs.

A nervous boxer named Muffin and six pit bulls were taken by animal services.

The owner said two of the male pit bulls got out of their crates and began fighting Thursday afternoon.

When ABC-7 arrived, the dogs appeared calm. Officers said they didn’t look like fighting dogs.

The owner was visibly overwhelmed. A look of shock and frustration in his face.

“My dogs are family to me. These are show quality dogs,” said Armando Lopez.

Officers evaluated Muffin and concluded she looked under weight.

The other dogs watched as officers filled their buckets and bowls with water. One of the pit bulls lapped water right from the water hose as an officer filled it’s dish.

“Sincerely, it’s a sad situation because we’re supposed to be — have our animals under control and well taken care of,” said Eduardo De Castro, deputy director of animal services.

The dogs’ owners received 23 citations, primarily for not having the dogs vaccinated, registered or microchipped.

Lopez said the officers weren’t being reasonable. He explained he and his family had just began moving into the home and couldn’t find the dogs’ paperwork.

“I still got boxes and every thing’s packed away, so as soon as I get those out I’ll be able to prove that in court, said Lopez.”

De Castro said he’s thinking of the dogs’ health and the safety of the neighborhood, especially since there’s a school across the street.

“There’s always that danger that maybe one of the dogs gets out and attacks one of the kids and we cannot be — allow that to happen,” said De Castro.

De Castro said this could turn into a dangerous situation. The fence surrounding the backyard was flimsy and loose enough for a dog to easily crawl underneath. The deputy director said he’d rather be safe than sorry.

But Lopez disagreed. “If a dog would have got out I know for a fact they wouldn’t have attacked anyone. My dogs are very socialized,” claimed Lopez.

He said it felt like his family was being ripped apart.

“I’ve had every single one of these dogs since they were pups. I’d hate for them to take away my dogs. That’s like taking away my child” said Lopez.

The dog owners could face up to $11,500 in fines. A judge will decide if the dogs will be returned to their owners.