SOCORRO, Texas (KFOX14) — The El Paso Marathon will be held this Sunday, but one town along the route is asking residents to take extra precautions to keep their pets safe.
Socorro residents received a notice urging neighbors to close and lock all exterior gates around their yards ahead of Sunday's El Paso Marathon.
They also asked that aggressive pets be kept away from or near runners on the marathon route.
But most people CBS4 spoke to said their pets were fine.
“No, he's never bitten anyone. But that's because we're trying to keep him away from people,” resident Daniela Munoz said. “He often barks at people he doesn't know. We keep them in a room separate from visitors.”
“They hardly ever go out,” said Nancy Clark, the resident's mother. “Even when they're going to the bathroom. When people walk by, they just try to follow and walk with them.”
Despite Socorro's notice, some local residents say they were not even informed about Sunday's marathon and that roads could be closed at 7 a.m., when the race begins.
“I don't care if the roads are closed. I'm still going to take my dog out. The city hasn't told me anything about the road closures. This is a problem,” Silvia Enrique said through an interpreter. Ta. I am an elderly woman, how can I get help if an accident occurs?
“Honestly, I was surprised,” Munoz said. “I mean, what if I had plans on Sunday? I didn't know the road was closed. We didn't know, and I'm sure my family didn't know either. Maybe privately, I'd send a letter. You could have let me know like, I mean, I checked my email.”
El Paso County Animal Welfare said there has never been a problem with pet attacks at the marathon.
They added that they were carrying out patrols in the areas of greatest concern, and that police and medical personnel would be present during the race if necessary.
Recommendation: TxDOT road closures will occur from February 18th to February 24th
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