TxDOT says it's not their problem to save animals that are dying because of them

TEXAS -- For years a pond off the Katy Freeway in the Houston area has served as a haven for beavers, snakes, turtles and fish.  But the Texas Department of Transportation has drained dry on purpose.

The area now looks like a mud pit or a graveyard of animals.   

 

"It's very cruel. They had no chance of survival. They took their chance away," Joe French, the general manager of the nearby Ron Hoover RV & Marine lot, said.

 

"It was a cool little natural spot with all kinds of wildlife. There are lots of families that come out here to spend some family time."

He says all of that changed in one day after TxDOT sent a crew to bulldoze a dam built by a family of beavers quickly draining the water and trapping the beavers, fish, snakes, alligators and other critters that have lived here for years.

 

"We didn't realize they were going to destroy the habitat," French said. "We figured they were talking about moving the creatures."

Baby beavers rescued by the RV employees

Ron Hoover employees have jumped into action, doing what they can to rescue the animals. But time is running out.

"It's sad because they're just dying. If we don't do anything, nobody else will," Lot Manager Mario Sifuentes at  Ron Hoover RV & Marine, said.

  

TxDOT says it is not the department's responsibility to save the animals.

"TxDOT built the detention pond to address proper drainage of the I-10 facility. It was not intended to hold water. Safety is our highest priority and making sure the pond drains properly is key," TxDOT said in a written statement.

The agency says it will be diligent about cleaning up the dead fish that employees at Ron Hoover say are already starting to rot.

[So TxDOT won't come and save the fish while they're alive, but once they've suffocated to death then TxDOT will respond to remove their bodies. Your government at work, people!]

 

 

A local wildlife rescue group said it does not have the manpower to come rescue the animals but will check the situation.

(KEYE - Sept 6, 2013)